FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 August 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 363 consumer complaints on 16 August 2020 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 424 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 40 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 146 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 363
- States & territories reporting
- 40
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (146)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (52)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 363 complaints were recorded on 16 August 2020, with reports originating from 266 cities in 40 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 52 | 14.3% |
| Texas | 42 | 11.6% |
| Florida | 28 | 7.7% |
| Virginia | 24 | 6.6% |
| New Jersey | 23 | 6.3% |
| New York | 20 | 5.5% |
| North Carolina | 18 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | 4.1% |
| Arizona | 11 | 3.0% |
| Maryland | 11 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 119 | 32.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 199 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 199 | 54.8% |
| Internet | 112 | 30.9% |
| TV | 43 | 11.8% |
| Radio | 6 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.6% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
199 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 54.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 146 | 73.4% |
| Billing | 14 | 7.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 4.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.5% |
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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
112 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 30.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 59 | 52.7% |
| Speed | 20 | 17.9% |
| Billing | 16 | 14.3% |
| Interference | 10 | 8.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 1.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Speed, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 13 | 30.2% |
| Billing | 9 | 20.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 20.9% |
| Interference | 7 | 16.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Loud Commercials.
Unwanted calls
146 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 40.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 5 | 3.4% |
| (201) 793-2324 | 2 | 1.4% |
| (248) 534-1232 | 2 | 1.4% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 2 | 1.4% |
| (509) 765-3100 | 2 | 1.4% |
| (720) 657-7345 | 2 | 1.4% |
| (205) 287-0227 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (207) 994-2875 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (208) 907-8776 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (213) 423-4458 | 1 | 0.7% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls 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.