FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 November 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 920 consumer complaints on Wednesday, 25 November 2020 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1001 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 47 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 600 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 920
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (600)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (117)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 920 complaints were recorded on 25 November 2020, with reports originating from 605 cities in 47 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Iowa, where Iowa City accounted for 24 of the 32 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 117 | 12.7% |
| Texas | 82 | 8.9% |
| Florida | 59 | 6.4% |
| New York | 44 | 4.8% |
| Illinois | 39 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 36 | 3.9% |
| Iowa | 32 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 31 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 30 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 29 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 420 | 45.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Iowa were heavily concentrated in Iowa City, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 705 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 705 | 76.6% |
| Internet | 123 | 13.4% |
| TV | 58 | 6.3% |
| Radio | 23 | 2.5% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
705 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 600 | 85.1% |
| Billing | 45 | 6.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 18 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 0.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
123 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 46 | 37.4% |
| Billing | 36 | 29.3% |
| Speed | 22 | 17.9% |
| Interference | 12 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
58 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 17 | 29.3% |
| Billing | 15 | 25.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 22.4% |
| Indecency | 5 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Loud Commercials.
Unwanted calls
A total of 600 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 65.2% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 10 | 1.7% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (202) 439-4567 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (413) 423-6629 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (662) 384-8047 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 942-0157 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (206) 267-8574 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 333-7370 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (208) 203-2893 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (212) 427-5886 | 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.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.