FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 August 2020

Introduction

On 30 August 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 391 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 562 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 171 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
391
States & territories reporting
46
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (171)
Most reported state/territory
California (46)

Where the complaints came from

The 391 complaints recorded on 30 August 2020 originated from 293 cities across 46 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 46 11.8%
Florida 43 11.0%
Texas 41 10.5%
Pennsylvania 20 5.1%
Washington 18 4.6%
New York 16 4.1%
Illinois 15 3.8%
Georgia 13 3.3%
Maryland 13 3.3%
Arizona 11 2.8%
Other states and territories 155 39.6%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 240 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 240 61.4%
Internet 99 25.3%
TV 39 10.0%
Radio 10 2.6%
Accessibility 2 0.5%
Emergency 1 0.3%

Phone complaints

240 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 61.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 171 71.3%
Billing 19 7.9%
Availability (including rural call completion) 18 7.5%
Equipment 10 4.2%
Privacy 8 3.3%
Interference (including signal jammers) 5 2.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 5 2.1%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 4 1.7%

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

99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 39 39.4%
Billing 31 31.3%
Speed 16 16.2%
Equipment 5 5.1%
Interference 4 4.0%
Privacy 4 4.0%

Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

TV complaints

39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 12 30.8%
Availability 10 25.6%
Indecency 8 20.5%
Loud Commercials 7 17.9%
Equipment 1 2.6%
Interference 1 2.6%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability and Indecency.

Unwanted calls

There were 171 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 43.7% 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 business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(208) 262-0000 5 2.9%
(315) 232-8257 4 2.3%
(855) 584-8315 3 1.8%
(862) 958-0000 2 1.2%
(888) 280-4331 2 1.2%
(202) 586-0563 1 0.6%
(202) 836-6044 1 0.6%
(202) 843-9829 1 0.6%
(208) 685-0000 1 0.6%
(213) 472-9924 1 0.6%

Key patterns

  • Text Message was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (208) 262-0000 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
Page last updated: 31 August 2020 with FCC complaints data from 30 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.