FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 August 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 317 consumer complaints on 2 August 2020 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 388 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 40 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 317
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (114)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (46)
Where the complaints came from
Across 256 cities in 40 states and territories, a total of 317 complaints were recorded on 2 August 2020. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 46 | 14.5% |
| Texas | 26 | 8.2% |
| New York | 21 | 6.6% |
| Arizona | 18 | 5.7% |
| Virginia | 17 | 5.4% |
| Florida | 16 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 15 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | 4.7% |
| Michigan | 11 | 3.5% |
| New Hampshire | 11 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 121 | 38.2% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 42 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 171 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 171 | 53.9% |
| Internet | 88 | 27.8% |
| TV | 48 | 15.1% |
| Radio | 9 | 2.8% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
171 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 53.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 114 | 66.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 17 | 9.9% |
| Billing | 16 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 1.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.6% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
88 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 27.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 41 | 46.6% |
| Billing | 15 | 17.0% |
| Interference | 10 | 11.4% |
| Speed | 10 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 6.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 31.3% |
| Availability | 14 | 29.2% |
| Billing | 13 | 27.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Loud Commercials and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
114 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 36% 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 | 11 | 9.6% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 3 | 2.6% |
| (636) 321-2222 | 2 | 1.8% |
| (855) 607-5865 | 2 | 1.8% |
| (929) 862-8193 | 2 | 1.8% |
| (202) 701-0286 | 1 | 0.9% |
| (209) 856-4300 | 1 | 0.9% |
| (213) 405-6336 | 1 | 0.9% |
| (215) 302-2307 | 1 | 0.9% |
| (270) 455-1523 | 1 | 0.9% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 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.