FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 July 2020
Introduction
A total of 1056 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 16 July 2020, this represented a decline from the 1086 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 606 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1056
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (606)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (134)
Where the complaints came from
The 1056 complaints recorded on 16 July 2020 were submitted from 699 cities across 51 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 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 | 134 | 12.7% |
| Texas | 112 | 10.6% |
| Florida | 80 | 7.6% |
| Illinois | 49 | 4.6% |
| New York | 49 | 4.6% |
| Michigan | 42 | 4.0% |
| Arizona | 40 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 38 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.3% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 443 | 42.0% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 748 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 748 | 70.8% |
| Internet | 210 | 19.9% |
| TV | 84 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
748 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 606 | 81.0% |
| Billing | 54 | 7.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
210 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 88 | 41.9% |
| Billing | 60 | 28.6% |
| Speed | 26 | 12.4% |
| Equipment | 15 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 11 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 10 | 4.8% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 46.4% |
| Availability | 30 | 35.7% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.6% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
606 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 57.4% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (314) 500-1493 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (507) 632-8998 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (612) 351-4819 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (855) 213-6019 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (208) 858-4095 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (302) 581-8790 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (628) 270-4575 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 869-3557 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (817) 380-8544 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (908) 520-4038 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (314) 500-1493 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (612) 351-4819 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (507) 632-8998 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (855) 213-6019 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (208) 858-4095 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (302) 581-7890 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (908) 520-4038 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (929) 285-0274 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- (314) 500-1493 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.