FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 September 2020
Introduction
On 16 September 2020, 1204 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1228 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 751 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1204
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (751)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (123)
Where the complaints came from
The 1204 complaints recorded on 16 September 2020 originated from 773 cities across 52 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 | 123 | 10.2% |
| Texas | 108 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 83 | 6.9% |
| New York | 81 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 69 | 5.7% |
| Ohio | 49 | 4.1% |
| Massachusetts | 43 | 3.6% |
| Louisiana | 36 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 34 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 539 | 44.8% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 76 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 894 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 894 | 74.3% |
| Internet | 196 | 16.3% |
| TV | 93 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
894 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 751 | 84.0% |
| Billing | 65 | 7.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 16 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
196 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 81 | 41.3% |
| Billing | 63 | 32.1% |
| Speed | 18 | 9.2% |
| Interference | 15 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 13 | 6.6% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 41.9% |
| Availability | 20 | 21.5% |
| Indecency | 12 | 12.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 9.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 9.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 751 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 62.4% 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 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (360) 995-0021 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (877) 836-5643 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (260) 468-3472 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (347) 237-7359 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (505) 372-0815 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (601) 246-3533 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (630) 716-9968 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (781) 422-6737 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.