FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 December 2020
Introduction
On Tuesday, 1 December 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1116 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1053 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 618 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1116
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (618)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (122)
Where the complaints came from
On 1 December 2020, the 1116 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 736 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 122 | 10.9% |
| Texas | 98 | 8.8% |
| New York | 78 | 7.0% |
| Florida | 62 | 5.6% |
| Ohio | 44 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.7% |
| Wisconsin | 40 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 36 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 519 | 46.5% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 817 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 817 | 73.2% |
| Internet | 174 | 15.6% |
| TV | 111 | 9.9% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
817 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 618 | 75.6% |
| Billing | 85 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 17 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
174 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 67 | 38.5% |
| Billing | 43 | 24.7% |
| Interference | 27 | 15.5% |
| Speed | 20 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 5.7% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.0% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
111 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 45.0% |
| Availability | 26 | 23.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 13.5% |
| Indecency | 10 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 4 | 3.6% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
618 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 55.4% 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 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (206) 508-4014 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (248) 487-1279 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (530) 334-6462 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (612) 451-0075 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (754) 333-0001 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 970-1192 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 570-4580 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.