FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 December 2020
Introduction
A total of 404 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 13 December 2020, this was lower than the 439 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 44 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 184 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 404
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (184)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (39)
Where the complaints came from
On 13 December 2020, the 404 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 316 cities across 44 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 39 | 9.7% |
| Texas | 29 | 7.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 23 | 5.7% |
| Florida | 21 | 5.2% |
| New York | 18 | 4.5% |
| Wisconsin | 18 | 4.5% |
| New Jersey | 17 | 4.2% |
| Washington | 17 | 4.2% |
| Missouri | 15 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 14 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 193 | 47.8% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 30 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 239 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 239 | 59.2% |
| Internet | 77 | 19.1% |
| TV | 74 | 18.3% |
| Radio | 7 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
239 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 59.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 184 | 77.0% |
| Billing | 20 | 8.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 11 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 6 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 31.2% |
| Availability | 21 | 27.3% |
| Speed | 17 | 22.1% |
| Interference | 10 | 13.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 39 | 52.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 20.3% |
| Billing | 9 | 12.2% |
| Indecency | 5 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.7% |
Availability and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 184 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 45.5% 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 | 14 | 7.6% |
| (203) 915-2812 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (213) 342-5711 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (216) 306-9614 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (216) 702-5824 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (229) 210-6117 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (251) 451-0954 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (267) 518-6501 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (315) 863-7850 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (323) 377-8141 | 1 | 0.5% |
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.