FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 July 2020
Introduction
On Wednesday, 22 July 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1204 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1171 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 694 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1204
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (694)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
Across 789 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1204 complaints were recorded on 22 July 2020. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 129 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 103 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 92 | 7.6% |
| New York | 80 | 6.6% |
| Ohio | 58 | 4.8% |
| New Jersey | 56 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 46 | 3.8% |
| Washington | 44 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 42 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 494 | 41.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 889 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 889 | 73.8% |
| Internet | 192 | 15.9% |
| TV | 103 | 8.6% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
889 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 694 | 78.1% |
| Billing | 57 | 6.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 53 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 32 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
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 Equipment.
Internet complaints
192 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 85 | 44.3% |
| Billing | 54 | 28.1% |
| Speed | 18 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 17 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 15 | 7.8% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.6% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
103 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 43.7% |
| Availability | 33 | 32.0% |
| Equipment | 9 | 8.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 5.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
694 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 57.6% 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 | 9 | 1.3% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 9 | 1.3% |
| (202) 932-5101 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (541) 209-2956 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (561) 286-3212 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (570) 754-0206 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (803) 877-7406 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (817) 606-8731 | 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.
- 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.