FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 August 2020
Introduction
On 20 August 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1073 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1197 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with Texas slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 604 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1073
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (604)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (114)
Where the complaints came from
The 1073 complaints recorded on 20 August 2020 were submitted from 740 cities across 48 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 114 | 10.6% |
| California | 94 | 8.8% |
| New York | 72 | 6.7% |
| Florida | 69 | 6.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 5.0% |
| Georgia | 46 | 4.3% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 41 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 35 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 465 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 779 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 779 | 72.6% |
| Internet | 186 | 17.3% |
| TV | 94 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
779 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 604 | 77.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 49 | 6.3% |
| Billing | 46 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 32 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
186 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 87 | 46.8% |
| Billing | 47 | 25.3% |
| Speed | 26 | 14.0% |
| Equipment | 17 | 9.1% |
| Interference | 5 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.2% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 29 | 30.9% |
| Billing | 29 | 30.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 14.9% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
604 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 56.3% 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 | 1.7% |
| (561) 490-9465 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (202) 704-9710 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 584-8315 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (888) 910-1409 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 389-9688 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 544-2987 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 795-1685 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 843-4317 | 1 | 0.2% |
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.