FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 September 2020

Introduction

On 13 September 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 397 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 497 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 44 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 164 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
397
States & territories reporting
44
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (164)
Most reported state/territory
California (43)

Where the complaints came from

On 13 September 2020, the 397 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 285 cities across 44 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 43 10.8%
Florida 34 8.6%
Texas 30 7.6%
New York 28 7.1%
North Carolina 18 4.5%
Kentucky 17 4.3%
Michigan 14 3.5%
Ohio 14 3.5%
Wisconsin 14 3.5%
Wyoming 13 3.3%
Other states and territories 172 43.3%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 228 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 228 57.4%
Internet 94 23.7%
TV 69 17.4%
Radio 3 0.8%
Accessibility 2 0.5%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.3%

Phone complaints

228 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 57.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 164 71.9%
Availability (including rural call completion) 24 10.5%
Billing 13 5.7%
Equipment 10 4.4%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 9 3.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 6 2.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 1 0.4%
Privacy 1 0.4%

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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.

Internet complaints

94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 43 45.7%
Billing 26 27.7%
Speed 14 14.9%
Equipment 4 4.3%
Privacy 4 4.3%
Interference 3 3.2%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

TV complaints

69 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.4% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 34 49.3%
Billing 15 21.7%
Indecency 10 14.5%
Loud Commercials 8 11.6%
Equipment 2 2.9%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Unwanted calls

164 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 41.3% 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
(315) 232-8257 6 3.7%
(855) 523-6111 3 1.8%
(208) 262-0000 2 1.2%
(206) 707-9591 1 0.6%
(207) 280-8197 1 0.6%
(208) 203-2623 1 0.6%
(208) 301-5662 1 0.6%
(209) 442-1239 1 0.6%
(210) 905-0034 1 0.6%
(210) 905-0655 1 0.6%

Key patterns

  • Abandoned Calls 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.
Page last updated: 14 September 2020 with FCC complaints data from 13 September 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.