FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 December 2020

Introduction

On 24 December 2020, 337 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 727 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 45 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.

Key statistics

Total complaints
337
States & territories reporting
45
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (145)
Most reported state/territory
California (41)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 337 complaints were recorded on 24 December 2020, with reports originating from 258 cities in 45 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.

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 41 12.2%
Texas 27 8.0%
Florida 21 6.2%
New York 21 6.2%
Ohio 17 5.0%
Pennsylvania 14 4.2%
Colorado 13 3.9%
Michigan 12 3.6%
Massachusetts 11 3.3%
New Jersey 11 3.3%
Other states and territories 149 44.2%

Location highlight

California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 29 different cities.

What the complaints were about

A total of 4 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 218 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 218 64.7%
Internet 67 19.9%
TV 42 12.5%
Radio 10 3.0%

Phone complaints

218 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 145 66.5%
Billing 32 14.7%
Equipment 17 7.8%
Availability (including rural call completion) 7 3.2%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 7 3.2%
Privacy 4 1.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 3 1.4%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 0.9%
Junk Faxes 1 0.5%

Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).

Internet complaints

67 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 28 41.8%
Availability 18 26.9%
Speed 13 19.4%
Interference 4 6.0%
Equipment 2 3.0%
Privacy 2 3.0%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

TV complaints

42 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 18 42.9%
Loud Commercials 10 23.8%
Availability 9 21.4%
Indecency 3 7.1%
Equipment 1 2.4%
Interference 1 2.4%

Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

There were 145 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 43% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(314) 858-5072 5 3.4%
(212) 588-4258 1 0.7%
(214) 382-4871 1 0.7%
(304) 788-8980 1 0.7%
(305) 916-7659 1 0.7%
(310) 723-5124 1 0.7%
(314) 916-6706 1 0.7%
(380) 208-0455 1 0.7%
(407) 766-6857 1 0.7%
(407) 775-8954 1 0.7%

Key patterns

  • Abandoned Calls accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
  • (314) 858-5072 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
Page last updated: 25 December 2020 with FCC complaints data from 24 December 2020.

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.