FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 July 2020

Introduction

A total of 992 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 27 July 2020, this represented an increase from the 411 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 542 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
992
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (542)
Most reported state/territory
California (126)

Where the complaints came from

On 27 July 2020, the 992 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 672 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 126 12.7%
Texas 81 8.2%
Florida 80 8.1%
New York 52 5.2%
Georgia 43 4.3%
Illinois 39 3.9%
New Jersey 37 3.7%
Arizona 36 3.6%
Washington 35 3.5%
Pennsylvania 33 3.3%
Other states and territories 426 42.9%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 686 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 686 69.2%
Internet 154 15.5%
TV 131 13.2%
Radio 19 1.9%
Accessibility 1 0.1%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

686 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 542 79.0%
Billing 46 6.7%
Availability (including rural call completion) 40 5.8%
Equipment 24 3.5%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 10 1.5%
Interference (including signal jammers) 8 1.2%
Privacy 8 1.2%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 0.6%
Junk Faxes 3 0.4%
Rural Call Completion 1 0.1%

As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

154 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 68 44.2%
Billing 46 29.9%
Interference 13 8.4%
Speed 12 7.8%
Equipment 9 5.8%
Privacy 6 3.9%

Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

TV complaints

131 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 68 51.9%
Availability 38 29.0%
Indecency 11 8.4%
Loud Commercials 10 7.6%
Equipment 2 1.5%
Interference 2 1.5%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

There were 542 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 54.6% 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
(208) 262-0000 9 1.7%
(315) 232-8257 8 1.5%
(602) 671-0818 3 0.6%
(207) 255-7417 2 0.4%
(321) 384-7198 2 0.4%
(555) 555-5555 2 0.4%
(719) 452-8970 2 0.4%
(913) 327-5915 2 0.4%
(201) 285-5932 1 0.2%
(201) 371-9920 1 0.2%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (208) 262-0000 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
Page last updated: 28 July 2020 with FCC complaints data from 27 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.