FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 November 2020
Introduction
On Monday, 23 November 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1001 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 312 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 557 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1001
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (557)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (88)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 23 November 2020 show 1001 complaints originating from 691 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 88 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 76 | 7.6% |
| New York | 74 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 55 | 5.5% |
| Maryland | 51 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 4.1% |
| Washington | 36 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 34 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 477 | 47.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 693 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 693 | 69.2% |
| TV | 162 | 16.2% |
| Internet | 118 | 11.8% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
693 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 557 | 80.4% |
| Billing | 60 | 8.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 22 | 3.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 0.4% |
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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
162 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 50 | 30.9% |
| Billing | 38 | 23.5% |
| Availability | 37 | 22.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.2% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Indecency, Billing and Availability.
Internet complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 47 | 39.8% |
| Billing | 32 | 27.1% |
| Interference | 16 | 13.6% |
| Speed | 13 | 11.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.2% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 557 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 55.6% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (206) 508-4051 | 6 | 1.1% |
| (804) 315-1893 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (443) 491-9434 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 535-4197 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 743-0619 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 964-9539 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 967-4589 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 998-2956 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 362-4206 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 760-0923 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 18 | 3.2% |
| (202) 967-4116 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (229) 367-3020 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (770) 884-7962 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 904-0641 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 743-0619 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 900-2646 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 362-4206 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 541-6862 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 760-0923 | 1 | 0.2% |
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.
- (206) 508-4051 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.