FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 July 2020
Introduction
On 18 July 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 453 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 992 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 47 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 236 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 453
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (236)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (56)
Where the complaints came from
Across 341 cities in 47 states and territories, a total of 453 complaints were recorded on 18 July 2020. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 56 | 12.4% |
| Texas | 44 | 9.7% |
| Virginia | 28 | 6.2% |
| Florida | 25 | 5.5% |
| Washington | 19 | 4.2% |
| Arizona | 18 | 4.0% |
| New York | 18 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 14 | 3.1% |
| Massachusetts | 14 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 201 | 44.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 290 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 290 | 64.0% |
| Internet | 94 | 20.8% |
| TV | 57 | 12.6% |
| Radio | 8 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
290 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 236 | 81.4% |
| Billing | 17 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 12 | 4.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 11 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.7% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 37 | 39.4% |
| Speed | 21 | 22.3% |
| Billing | 20 | 21.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.3% |
Availability and Speed accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22 | 38.6% |
| Availability | 20 | 35.1% |
| Indecency | 6 | 10.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.5% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
236 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 52.1% 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 | 3.4% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 7 | 3.0% |
| (312) 471-9946 | 3 | 1.3% |
| (480) 605-2227 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (203) 650-3774 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (206) 415-1995 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (206) 502-4851 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (225) 667-3223 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (231) 580-6717 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (253) 303-7985 | 1 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice 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.