FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 August 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1201 consumer complaints on 4 August 2020 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1015 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 652 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1201
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (652)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (135)
Where the complaints came from
The 1201 complaints recorded on 4 August 2020 originated from 784 cities across 52 states and territories. 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 | 135 | 11.2% |
| Florida | 117 | 9.7% |
| Texas | 91 | 7.6% |
| New York | 81 | 6.7% |
| Illinois | 45 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 43 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 42 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 40 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 34 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 520 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 855 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 855 | 71.2% |
| Internet | 206 | 17.2% |
| TV | 119 | 9.9% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
855 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 652 | 76.3% |
| Billing | 68 | 8.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 46 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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
206 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 81 | 39.3% |
| Billing | 67 | 32.5% |
| Speed | 26 | 12.6% |
| Equipment | 13 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 11 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 3.9% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
119 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 43.7% |
| Availability | 40 | 33.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 10.1% |
| Indecency | 9 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 2 | 1.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 652 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 54.3% 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 | 14 | 2.1% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 7 | 1.1% |
| (315) 272-8257 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (857) 326-5662 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (888) 280-4331 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 351-4516 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 621-0578 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 888-1612 | 1 | 0.2% |
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.