FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 August 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1110 consumer complaints on Friday, 21 August 2020 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1073 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 569 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1110
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (569)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (125)
Where the complaints came from
The 1110 complaints recorded on 21 August 2020 originated from 745 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 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 | 125 | 11.3% |
| Texas | 112 | 10.1% |
| New York | 75 | 6.8% |
| Florida | 74 | 6.7% |
| Arizona | 43 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 40 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 39 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 37 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 478 | 43.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 765 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 765 | 68.9% |
| Internet | 217 | 19.5% |
| TV | 106 | 9.5% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
765 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 569 | 74.4% |
| Billing | 67 | 8.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 50 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 31 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
217 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 83 | 38.2% |
| Billing | 60 | 27.6% |
| Speed | 34 | 15.7% |
| Equipment | 17 | 7.8% |
| Interference | 13 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 10 | 4.6% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
106 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 30.2% |
| Availability | 31 | 29.2% |
| Indecency | 13 | 12.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 12.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 10.4% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Indecency.
Unwanted calls
569 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 51.3% 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 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (812) 683-3610 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 994-9573 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 301-5605 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 381-9553 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 741-7168 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 743-4618 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 846-4876 | 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.