FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 September 2020
Introduction
A total of 1239 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 3 September 2020, this was lower than the 1376 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 674 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1239
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (674)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (125)
Where the complaints came from
The 1239 complaints recorded on 3 September 2020 originated from 798 cities across 49 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 125 | 10.1% |
| Texas | 106 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 89 | 7.2% |
| New York | 83 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 76 | 6.1% |
| Ohio | 58 | 4.7% |
| Virginia | 49 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 527 | 42.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 85 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 863 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 863 | 69.7% |
| Internet | 209 | 16.9% |
| TV | 99 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 66 | 5.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
863 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 674 | 78.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 57 | 6.6% |
| Billing | 40 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 34 | 3.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
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
209 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 92 | 44.0% |
| Billing | 62 | 29.7% |
| Speed | 24 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 14 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 9 | 4.3% |
| Interference | 8 | 3.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
99 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 46.5% |
| Availability | 30 | 30.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 11.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 38 | 57.6% |
| Availability | 20 | 30.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 6.1% |
| Pirate Radio | 2 | 3.0% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 1 | 1.5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 674 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 54.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 16 | 2.4% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (202) 773-1368 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (347) 276-3592 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (610) 601-6647 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (614) 714-3611 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (657) 418-0589 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 294-2274 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (859) 305-6472 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (877) 982-2110 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- 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.