FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 August 2020
Introduction
A total of 1197 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 19 August 2020, this was higher than the 1122 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 673 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1197
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (673)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
The 1197 complaints recorded on 19 August 2020 originated from 778 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 129 | 10.8% |
| Texas | 106 | 8.9% |
| Florida | 84 | 7.0% |
| New York | 72 | 6.0% |
| North Carolina | 51 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 49 | 4.1% |
| Washington | 43 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 42 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 540 | 45.1% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 88 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 851 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 851 | 71.1% |
| Internet | 221 | 18.5% |
| TV | 102 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
851 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 673 | 79.1% |
| Billing | 50 | 5.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 44 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 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. 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
221 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 106 | 48.0% |
| Billing | 41 | 18.6% |
| Speed | 30 | 13.6% |
| Interference | 17 | 7.7% |
| Privacy | 16 | 7.2% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.0% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 41 | 40.2% |
| Billing | 34 | 33.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 13.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 6.9% |
| Indecency | 3 | 2.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.9% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 673 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 56.2% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 11 | 1.6% |
| (678) 534-6997 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (323) 617-9800 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (407) 502-7406 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (725) 229-7139 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (877) 895-7872 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (916) 398-4348 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (919) 925-4331 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 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.