FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 August 2020

Introduction

On 24 August 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1121 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 365 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 641 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1121
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (641)
Most reported state/territory
California (108)

Where the complaints came from

On 24 August 2020, the 1121 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 738 cities across 51 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable 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 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 108 9.6%
Texas 91 8.1%
New York 85 7.6%
Florida 78 7.0%
Michigan 60 5.4%
Ohio 52 4.6%
Virginia 46 4.1%
Pennsylvania 41 3.7%
Arizona 38 3.4%
Illinois 37 3.3%
Other states and territories 483 43.1%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 819 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 819 73.1%
Internet 190 16.9%
TV 98 8.7%
Radio 11 1.0%
Accessibility 3 0.3%

Phone complaints

819 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 641 78.3%
Billing 50 6.1%
Availability (including rural call completion) 47 5.7%
Equipment 31 3.8%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 20 2.4%
Junk Faxes 10 1.2%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 7 0.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 6 0.7%
Privacy 6 0.7%
Rural Call Completion 1 0.1%

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

190 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 86 45.3%
Billing 60 31.6%
Speed 18 9.5%
Equipment 13 6.8%
Interference 10 5.3%
Privacy 3 1.6%

Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

TV complaints

98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 38 38.8%
Availability 34 34.7%
Loud Commercials 11 11.2%
Equipment 7 7.1%
Indecency 4 4.1%
Interference 3 3.1%
Privacy 1 1.0%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

A total of 641 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 57.2% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.

Most reported caller ID numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(855) 523-6111 6 0.9%
(855) 584-8315 4 0.6%
(269) 682-0253 3 0.5%
(800) 282-7541 3 0.5%
(201) 212-6315 2 0.3%
(413) 259-4693 2 0.3%
(419) 326-5138 2 0.3%
(703) 630-9217 2 0.3%
(719) 452-8970 2 0.3%
(888) 280-4331 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(315) 232-8257 14 2.2%
(855) 584-8315 6 0.9%
(208) 262-0000 5 0.8%
(636) 274-8103 4 0.6%
(844) 989-1708 4 0.6%
(855) 523-6111 4 0.6%
(413) 259-4693 2 0.3%
(443) 384-0611 2 0.3%
(719) 452-8970 2 0.3%
(806) 994-4976 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (315) 232-8257 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (855) 523-6111 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 25 August 2020 with FCC complaints data from 24 August 2020.

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.