FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 November 2020
Introduction
On 29 November 2020, 373 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 390 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 44 states and territories, with Illinois recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 193 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 373
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (193)
- Most reported state/territory
- Illinois (40)
Where the complaints came from
The 373 complaints recorded on 29 November 2020 originated from 284 cities across 44 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 40 | 10.7% |
| California | 34 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 30 | 8.0% |
| Kentucky | 20 | 5.4% |
| New York | 18 | 4.8% |
| Florida | 16 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 4.3% |
| Arizona | 14 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 14 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 14 | 3.8% |
| Other states and territories | 157 | 42.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 241 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 241 | 64.6% |
| TV | 68 | 18.2% |
| Internet | 56 | 15.0% |
| Radio | 6 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
241 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 193 | 80.1% |
| Billing | 18 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 12 | 5.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 6 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
TV complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 20 | 29.4% |
| Billing | 19 | 27.9% |
| Availability | 16 | 23.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Loud Commercials, Billing and Availability among the most common.
Internet complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 19 | 33.9% |
| Billing | 19 | 33.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 14.3% |
| Speed | 5 | 8.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.6% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
193 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 51.7% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 14 | 7.3% |
| (602) 760-4549 | 3 | 1.6% |
| (207) 795-2220 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (210) 499-4455 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (212) 262-4888 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (212) 262-5071 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (212) 652-1184 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (212) 652-9053 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (213) 261-2822 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (213) 747-4023 | 1 | 0.5% |
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.