FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 November 2020

Introduction

On Sunday, 22 November 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 312 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 460 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 45 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 133 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
312
States & territories reporting
45
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (133)
Most reported state/territory
California (39)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 312 complaints were recorded on 22 November 2020, with reports originating from 254 cities in 45 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 39 12.5%
Florida 27 8.7%
Kentucky 18 5.8%
Washington 15 4.8%
New York 14 4.5%
Wisconsin 13 4.2%
Nevada 12 3.8%
Tennessee 12 3.8%
Texas 12 3.8%
Pennsylvania 11 3.5%
Other states and territories 139 44.6%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 189 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 189 60.6%
Internet 57 18.3%
TV 52 16.7%
Radio 10 3.2%
Accessibility 2 0.6%
Emergency 2 0.6%

Phone complaints

189 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 60.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 133 70.4%
Availability (including rural call completion) 17 9.0%
Billing 13 6.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 11 5.8%
Equipment 5 2.6%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 5 2.6%
Privacy 4 2.1%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 1 0.5%

As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Interference (including signal jammers).

Internet complaints

57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 21 36.8%
Billing 17 29.8%
Speed 10 17.5%
Interference 5 8.8%
Privacy 3 5.3%
Equipment 1 1.8%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

TV complaints

52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Loud Commercials 14 26.9%
Availability 11 21.2%
Billing 11 21.2%
Indecency 10 19.2%
Interference 3 5.8%
Equipment 2 3.8%
Privacy 1 1.9%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Loud Commercials, Availability and Billing.

Unwanted calls

There were 133 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 42.6% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(315) 232-8257 9 6.8%
(210) 682-8080 1 0.8%
(216) 333-6443 1 0.8%
(216) 681-5440 1 0.8%
(218) 789-3602 1 0.8%
(254) 331-2681 1 0.8%
(308) 241-1846 1 0.8%
(308) 300-2320 1 0.8%
(323) 516-1733 1 0.8%
(386) 517-1722 1 0.8%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (315) 232-8257 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
Page last updated: 23 November 2020 with FCC complaints data from 22 November 2020.

The information presented on this page is based on consumer complaint data submitted to regulatory authorities. References to telephone numbers reflect reports made by consumers and do not confirm ownership, authenticity, or that the number was genuinely associated with the call. Caller ID information may be inaccurate or subject to spoofing.

Complaint categories, dates and complainant locations are based on the source records and may contain incomplete, approximate or user-entered information. Location details refer to the complainant’s reported location, not the location of the caller or telephone number. This content is provided for informational purposes only.