FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 August 2020

Introduction

On 25 August 2020, 1242 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1121 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 727 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1242
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (727)
Most reported state/territory
California (127)

Where the complaints came from

A total of 1242 complaints were recorded on 25 August 2020, with reports originating from 813 cities in 50 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 table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 127 10.2%
Florida 102 8.2%
Texas 99 8.0%
New York 95 7.6%
Illinois 52 4.2%
North Carolina 45 3.6%
New Jersey 45 3.6%
Ohio 41 3.3%
Michigan 39 3.1%
Arizona 38 3.1%
Other states and territories 558 44.9%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 890 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 890 71.7%
Internet 230 18.5%
TV 95 7.6%
Radio 17 1.4%
Accessibility 5 0.4%
Emergency 5 0.4%

Phone complaints

890 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 727 81.7%
Availability (including rural call completion) 56 6.3%
Billing 53 6.0%
Equipment 18 2.0%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 16 1.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 5 0.6%
Privacy 5 0.6%
Interference (including signal jammers) 4 0.4%
Junk Faxes 3 0.3%
Rural Call Completion 2 0.2%
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

230 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 104 45.2%
Speed 46 20.0%
Billing 45 19.6%
Equipment 14 6.1%
Interference 14 6.1%
Privacy 7 3.0%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Speed, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

TV complaints

95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 34 35.8%
Billing 30 31.6%
Loud Commercials 12 12.6%
Equipment 10 10.5%
Indecency 6 6.3%
Interference 3 3.2%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Unwanted calls

There were 727 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 58.5% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.

Most reported caller ID numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(855) 584-8315 13 1.8%
(855) 523-6111 6 0.8%
(978) 263-5720 3 0.4%
(212) 745-4451 2 0.3%
(262) 694-0589 2 0.3%
(320) 335-7323 2 0.3%
(410) 498-6102 2 0.3%
(510) 545-8585 2 0.3%
(530) 662-5545 2 0.3%
(618) 284-3002 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(855) 584-8315 12 1.7%
(855) 523-6111 11 1.5%
(315) 232-8257 8 1.1%
(844) 989-1708 5 0.7%
(503) 386-9494 3 0.4%
(208) 262-0000 2 0.3%
(212) 745-4451 2 0.3%
(555) 555-5555 2 0.3%
(561) 600-5184 2 0.3%
(719) 452-8970 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (855) 584-8315 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (855) 584-8315 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 26 August 2020 with FCC complaints data from 25 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.