FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 August 2020
Introduction
A total of 1056 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 31 August 2020, this was higher than the 391 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 602 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1056
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (602)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (112)
Where the complaints came from
The 1056 complaints recorded on 31 August 2020 originated from 716 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 112 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 86 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 81 | 7.7% |
| New York | 61 | 5.8% |
| Ohio | 42 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 38 | 3.6% |
| Arizona | 37 | 3.5% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 3.5% |
| Kentucky | 36 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 486 | 46.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 757 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 757 | 71.7% |
| Internet | 184 | 17.4% |
| TV | 99 | 9.4% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
757 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 602 | 79.5% |
| Billing | 48 | 6.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 38 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
184 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 67 | 36.4% |
| Billing | 54 | 29.3% |
| Speed | 31 | 16.8% |
| Equipment | 15 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 13 | 7.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.2% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 29 | 29.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 12.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 11.1% |
| Indecency | 8 | 8.1% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 602 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 57% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 10 | 1.7% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (855) 523-6111 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 539-6694 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (440) 210-4146 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (702) 628-9607 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 326-2222 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 410-6058 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 687-4827 | 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.