FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 December 2020
Introduction
A total of 1147 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 2 December 2020, this represented an increase from the 1116 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 644 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1147
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (644)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (123)
Where the complaints came from
On 2 December 2020, the 1147 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 779 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 | 123 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 89 | 7.8% |
| New York | 81 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 70 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 45 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 44 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 533 | 46.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 79 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 813 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 813 | 70.9% |
| Internet | 168 | 14.6% |
| TV | 146 | 12.7% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 7 | 0.6% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.5% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
813 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 644 | 79.2% |
| Billing | 59 | 7.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 40 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
Internet complaints
168 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 59 | 35.1% |
| Billing | 58 | 34.5% |
| Speed | 21 | 12.5% |
| Interference | 12 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.8% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
146 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 71 | 48.6% |
| Billing | 45 | 30.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 9.6% |
| Indecency | 8 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.7% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 644 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 56.1% 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 | 1.6% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (210) 903-0110 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (252) 292-9025 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (254) 237-5701 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (316) 665-7461 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (509) 412-3009 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 809-3003 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (888) 387-7203 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 866-7734 | 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.