FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 July 2020

Introduction

A total of 305 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 19 July 2020, this was lower than the 453 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 41 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 147 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
305
States & territories reporting
41
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (147)
Most reported state/territory
California (42)

Where the complaints came from

On 19 July 2020, the 305 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 242 cities across 41 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.

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 42 13.8%
Texas 31 10.2%
Florida 20 6.6%
New York 17 5.6%
Illinois 14 4.6%
Maryland 14 4.6%
Virginia 12 3.9%
Wisconsin 12 3.9%
Michigan 10 3.3%
Pennsylvania 10 3.3%
Other states and territories 123 40.3%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 193 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 193 63.3%
Internet 70 23.0%
TV 37 12.1%
Radio 4 1.3%
Accessibility 1 0.3%

Phone complaints

193 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 147 76.2%
Billing 15 7.8%
Availability (including rural call completion) 13 6.7%
Privacy 7 3.6%
Equipment 4 2.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 4 2.1%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 1 0.5%
Interference (including signal jammers) 1 0.5%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.5%

As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Privacy.

Internet complaints

70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 31 44.3%
Billing 17 24.3%
Speed 12 17.1%
Equipment 4 5.7%
Privacy 4 5.7%
Interference 2 2.9%

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

TV complaints

37 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 17 45.9%
Billing 9 24.3%
Loud Commercials 8 21.6%
Privacy 2 5.4%
Equipment 1 2.7%

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

Unwanted calls

147 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 48.2% 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
(208) 262-0000 7 4.8%
(315) 232-8257 2 1.4%
(202) 919-7497 1 0.7%
(215) 760-1019 1 0.7%
(215) 860-8570 1 0.7%
(234) 239-3488 1 0.7%
(239) 314-2390 1 0.7%
(254) 280-2605 1 0.7%
(256) 913-4106 1 0.7%
(267) 680-7195 1 0.7%

Key patterns

  • Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (208) 262-0000 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: 20 July 2020 with FCC complaints data from 19 July 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.