FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 December 2020
Introduction
On Saturday, 12 December 2020, 439 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 999 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 43 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 219 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 439
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (219)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (51)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 439 complaints were recorded on 12 December 2020, with reports originating from 307 cities in 43 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 51 | 11.6% |
| Texas | 38 | 8.7% |
| Florida | 37 | 8.4% |
| New York | 28 | 6.4% |
| Colorado | 25 | 5.7% |
| Illinois | 21 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 16 | 3.6% |
| Massachusetts | 15 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 15 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 13 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 180 | 41.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 280 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 280 | 63.8% |
| Internet | 81 | 18.5% |
| TV | 71 | 16.2% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.7% |
| Radio | 3 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
280 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 219 | 78.2% |
| Billing | 19 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 4.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 12 | 4.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.4% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 26 | 32.1% |
| Billing | 26 | 32.1% |
| Interference | 11 | 13.6% |
| Speed | 8 | 9.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.7% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
71 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 33 | 46.5% |
| Billing | 14 | 19.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 11.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.9% |
| Indecency | 7 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 219 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 49.9% 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 | 5 | 2.3% |
| (330) 843-8359 | 3 | 1.4% |
| (202) 516-5846 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (202) 964-1384 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (205) 539-6762 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (208) 301-5860 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (210) 526-5112 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (212) 238-5265 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (212) 238-7028 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (212) 335-1055 | 1 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls 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.