FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 August 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1132 consumer complaints on Monday, 17 August 2020 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 363 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with Texas reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 628 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1132
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (628)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (105)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1132 complaints were recorded on 17 August 2020, with reports originating from 783 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 105 | 9.3% |
| California | 102 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 82 | 7.2% |
| New York | 79 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 40 | 3.5% |
| Connecticut | 37 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 34 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 525 | 46.4% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 806 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 806 | 71.2% |
| Internet | 208 | 18.4% |
| TV | 105 | 9.3% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.0% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
806 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 628 | 77.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 50 | 6.2% |
| Billing | 43 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 15 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
208 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 95 | 45.7% |
| Billing | 56 | 26.9% |
| Speed | 32 | 15.4% |
| Interference | 11 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.9% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
105 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 34.3% |
| Availability | 30 | 28.6% |
| Equipment | 18 | 17.1% |
| Indecency | 9 | 8.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
628 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 55.5% 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 | 10 | 1.6% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 7 | 1.1% |
| (209) 310-0344 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (301) 298-2184 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (510) 221-0885 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (630) 590-9326 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 204-9279 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (949) 591-8920 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 318-6238 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 503-3531 | 1 | 0.2% |
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.