FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 September 2020
Introduction
On 15 September 2020, 1228 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1157 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with Texas slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 766 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1228
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (766)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (117)
Where the complaints came from
On 15 September 2020, the 1228 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 769 cities across 50 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 117 | 9.5% |
| California | 100 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 88 | 7.2% |
| New York | 68 | 5.5% |
| Illinois | 56 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 49 | 4.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 41 | 3.3% |
| Tennessee | 40 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 578 | 47.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 934 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 934 | 76.1% |
| Internet | 203 | 16.5% |
| TV | 77 | 6.3% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
934 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 766 | 82.0% |
| Billing | 45 | 4.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 39 | 4.2% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 15 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
203 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 104 | 51.2% |
| Billing | 54 | 26.6% |
| Speed | 18 | 8.9% |
| Interference | 13 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.5% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 48.1% |
| Availability | 28 | 36.4% |
| Indecency | 5 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 2.6% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 766 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 62.4% 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 caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (877) 581-5373 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (385) 213-4998 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (901) 617-7991 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (385) 449-4416 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (217) 295-2560 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (281) 501-7768 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (412) 501-9338 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (717) 210-5021 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 325-2865 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 986-8122 | 1 | 0.1% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 610-2031 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (385) 213-4998 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (213) 893-8513 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (217) 295-2560 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (385) 449-4416 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (740) 672-3103 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (818) 273-1153 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (888) 610-2031 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (877) 581-5373 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.