FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 December 2020
Introduction
A total of 1143 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 7 December 2020, this was higher than the 433 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 585 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1143
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (585)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (130)
Where the complaints came from
The 1143 complaints recorded on 7 December 2020 originated from 746 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 130 | 11.4% |
| Texas | 105 | 9.2% |
| New York | 85 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 77 | 6.7% |
| Georgia | 46 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 43 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 492 | 43.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 748 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 748 | 65.4% |
| TV | 206 | 18.0% |
| Internet | 174 | 15.2% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
748 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 585 | 78.2% |
| Billing | 63 | 8.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 39 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 23 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.7% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
TV complaints
206 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 112 | 54.4% |
| Billing | 55 | 26.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 4.9% |
| Indecency | 8 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 5 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.0% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
174 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 37.4% |
| Availability | 55 | 31.6% |
| Speed | 22 | 12.6% |
| Equipment | 17 | 9.8% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 585 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 51.2% 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 | 18 | 3.1% |
| (607) 354-5377 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 555-0427 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 888-1239 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 900-6915 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 915-8446 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 520-5152 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 370-2859 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (207) 579-1236 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (207) 579-1307 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls 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.