FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 September 2020
Introduction
On 17 September 2020, 1140 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1204 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 716 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1140
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (716)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (109)
Where the complaints came from
The 1140 complaints recorded on 17 September 2020 originated from 744 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. 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 | 109 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 105 | 9.2% |
| Texas | 95 | 8.3% |
| New York | 81 | 7.1% |
| North Carolina | 47 | 4.1% |
| Massachusetts | 46 | 4.0% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.0% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 510 | 44.7% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 870 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 870 | 76.3% |
| Internet | 152 | 13.3% |
| TV | 102 | 8.9% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
870 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 716 | 82.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 41 | 4.7% |
| Billing | 39 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.8% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
152 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 73 | 48.0% |
| Billing | 34 | 22.4% |
| Speed | 16 | 10.5% |
| Interference | 14 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.6% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 48 | 47.1% |
| Availability | 27 | 26.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 9.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 8.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
716 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 62.8% 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 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (347) 328-3416 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (971) 268-4752 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 729-1866 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (203) 438-6969 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (203) 487-5080 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (205) 671-2461 | 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.