FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 September 2020
Introduction
On Friday, 11 September 2020, 1095 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1169 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 690 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1095
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (690)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (125)
Where the complaints came from
Across 745 cities in 48 states and territories, a total of 1095 complaints were recorded on 11 September 2020. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 125 | 11.4% |
| Florida | 92 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 90 | 8.2% |
| New York | 78 | 7.1% |
| Ohio | 44 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 41 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 38 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 37 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 467 | 42.6% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 825 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 825 | 75.3% |
| Internet | 145 | 13.2% |
| TV | 107 | 9.8% |
| Radio | 10 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
825 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 690 | 83.6% |
| Billing | 44 | 5.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 39 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
145 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 54 | 37.2% |
| Billing | 40 | 27.6% |
| Speed | 26 | 17.9% |
| Interference | 14 | 9.7% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 38 | 35.5% |
| Billing | 30 | 28.0% |
| Indecency | 21 | 19.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
690 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 63% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (206) 200-7477 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (301) 922-5276 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (702) 528-5139 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 421-9594 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (949) 298-6554 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 224-5941 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 664-6350 | 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.