FCC Consumer Complaints – 8 December 2020
Introduction
On Tuesday, 8 December 2020, 1321 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 1143 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 720 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1321
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (720)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (130)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 8 December 2020 show 1321 complaints originating from 841 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 9.8% |
| Texas | 120 | 9.1% |
| New York | 81 | 6.1% |
| Florida | 79 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 71 | 5.4% |
| Ohio | 57 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 54 | 4.1% |
| Washington | 53 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 50 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 41 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 585 | 44.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 933 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 933 | 70.6% |
| TV | 203 | 15.4% |
| Internet | 160 | 12.1% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
933 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 720 | 77.2% |
| Billing | 81 | 8.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 48 | 5.1% |
| Equipment | 41 | 4.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
TV complaints
203 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 110 | 54.2% |
| Billing | 62 | 30.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 3.0% |
| Indecency | 2 | 1.0% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
160 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 56 | 35.0% |
| Availability | 54 | 33.8% |
| Speed | 22 | 13.8% |
| Interference | 14 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
720 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 54.5% 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 | 27 | 3.8% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (251) 451-0954 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (301) 929-7105 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (619) 830-3429 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (802) 528-7640 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (940) 745-4872 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (972) 645-0978 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 299-7979 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 476-4716 | 1 | 0.1% |
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.