FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 December 2020
Introduction
On 15 December 2020, 1002 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 949 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 568 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1002
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (568)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (101)
Where the complaints came from
The 1002 complaints recorded on 15 December 2020 originated from 666 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 | 101 | 10.1% |
| Texas | 80 | 8.0% |
| New York | 63 | 6.3% |
| Florida | 55 | 5.5% |
| Georgia | 51 | 5.1% |
| Ohio | 43 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 35 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 32 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 465 | 46.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 722 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 722 | 72.1% |
| Internet | 147 | 14.7% |
| TV | 114 | 11.4% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
722 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 568 | 78.7% |
| Billing | 50 | 6.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 39 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
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
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 53 | 36.1% |
| Availability | 44 | 29.9% |
| Speed | 19 | 12.9% |
| Interference | 16 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 57 | 50.0% |
| Billing | 33 | 28.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 10.5% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 0.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
568 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 56.7% 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 | 8 | 1.4% |
| (714) 694-7603 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (301) 250-1308 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (609) 755-7869 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (760) 555-0123 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (929) 552-6976 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 495-1457 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 700-1896 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 540-6355 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (208) 295-3055 | 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.