FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 July 2020
Introduction
On Friday, 31 July 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 961 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1101 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 599 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 961
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (599)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (122)
Where the complaints came from
Across 650 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 961 complaints were recorded on 31 July 2020. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 | 122 | 12.7% |
| Texas | 83 | 8.6% |
| New York | 68 | 7.1% |
| Florida | 66 | 6.9% |
| Arizona | 36 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 33 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 32 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 29 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 420 | 43.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 727 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 727 | 75.7% |
| Internet | 161 | 16.8% |
| TV | 66 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
727 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 599 | 82.4% |
| Billing | 41 | 5.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 13 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
161 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 78 | 48.4% |
| Billing | 49 | 30.4% |
| Speed | 14 | 8.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 37.9% |
| Availability | 22 | 33.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 10.6% |
| Indecency | 6 | 9.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 599 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 62.3% 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 | 11 | 1.8% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (628) 259-0386 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (209) 887-6520 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (301) 679-6076 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 874-0930 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 253-2322 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (833) 673-0701 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice 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.
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.