FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 September 2020
Introduction
On 2 September 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1376 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1154 complaints 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 795 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1376
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (795)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (146)
Where the complaints came from
The 1376 complaints recorded on 2 September 2020 were submitted from 876 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 146 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 118 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 114 | 8.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 109 | 7.9% |
| New York | 89 | 6.5% |
| Ohio | 50 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 47 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 46 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 44 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 44 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 569 | 41.4% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 983 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 983 | 71.4% |
| Internet | 212 | 15.4% |
| Radio | 92 | 6.7% |
| TV | 76 | 5.5% |
| Emergency | 12 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
983 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 795 | 80.9% |
| Billing | 68 | 6.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 49 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 28 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.1% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
212 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 104 | 49.1% |
| Billing | 48 | 22.6% |
| Speed | 33 | 15.6% |
| Equipment | 12 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 10 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.4% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Radio complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 65 | 70.7% |
| Availability | 15 | 16.3% |
| Interference | 7 | 7.6% |
| Billing | 3 | 3.3% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.1% |
| Pirate Radio | 1 | 1.1% |
Indecency and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 43.4% |
| Availability | 22 | 28.9% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 795 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 57.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 10 | 1.3% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 9 | 1.1% |
| (336) 654-3943 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 869-3557 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (833) 596-0858 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 523-6111 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 484-2614 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 259-8259 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 421-3439 | 1 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice 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.
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.