FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 August 2020
Introduction
A total of 1115 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 13 August 2020, this represented a decline from the 1222 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
- 1115
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (686)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (110)
Where the complaints came from
On 13 August 2020, the 1115 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 743 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant 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 | 110 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 107 | 9.6% |
| Texas | 100 | 9.0% |
| New York | 78 | 7.0% |
| Arizona | 42 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 486 | 43.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 830 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 830 | 74.4% |
| Internet | 175 | 15.7% |
| TV | 84 | 7.5% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
830 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 686 | 82.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 48 | 5.8% |
| Billing | 44 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
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
175 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 83 | 47.4% |
| Billing | 42 | 24.0% |
| Speed | 19 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 13 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 23 | 27.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 13.1% |
| Equipment | 10 | 11.9% |
| Indecency | 7 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
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 686 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 61.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 10 | 1.5% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (512) 920-1432 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (209) 887-6520 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (231) 237-4094 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (352) 648-0402 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (732) 200-1968 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 282-7541 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 276-8381 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls 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.