FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 August 2020
Introduction
A total of 1222 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 12 August 2020, this represented an increase from the 1187 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 686 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1222
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (686)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (150)
Where the complaints came from
Across 811 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1222 complaints were recorded on 12 August 2020. 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 | 150 | 12.3% |
| Texas | 111 | 9.1% |
| New York | 93 | 7.6% |
| Florida | 68 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 43 | 3.5% |
| Arizona | 41 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.1% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 548 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 867 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 867 | 70.9% |
| Internet | 255 | 20.9% |
| TV | 92 | 7.5% |
| Radio | 7 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
867 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 686 | 79.1% |
| Billing | 58 | 6.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 50 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 35 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.7% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
255 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 123 | 48.2% |
| Billing | 48 | 18.8% |
| Speed | 35 | 13.7% |
| Equipment | 21 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 19 | 7.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 3.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 35.9% |
| Availability | 25 | 27.2% |
| Equipment | 14 | 15.2% |
| Indecency | 8 | 8.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.6% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
686 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 56.1% 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 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (662) 298-4401 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (731) 203-0549 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 960-1019 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (207) 656-1445 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (208) 262-2000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (248) 282-8102 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.