FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 September 2020
Introduction
On 22 September 2020, 1229 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1016 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 745 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1229
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (745)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (126)
Where the complaints came from
The 1229 complaints recorded on 22 September 2020 originated from 773 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 126 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 116 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 79 | 6.4% |
| New York | 78 | 6.3% |
| Ohio | 69 | 5.6% |
| New Jersey | 55 | 4.5% |
| North Carolina | 49 | 4.0% |
| Louisiana | 47 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 519 | 42.2% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 77 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 920 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 920 | 74.9% |
| Internet | 202 | 16.4% |
| TV | 94 | 7.6% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
920 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 745 | 81.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 52 | 5.7% |
| Billing | 51 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
202 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 76 | 37.6% |
| Billing | 65 | 32.2% |
| Speed | 33 | 16.3% |
| Interference | 12 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 10 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.0% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
94 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 29 | 30.9% |
| Billing | 28 | 29.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 17.0% |
| Equipment | 11 | 11.7% |
| Indecency | 6 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 745 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 60.6% 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 | 12 | 1.6% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 12 | 1.6% |
| (314) 925-6925 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (423) 205-0518 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (804) 303-8936 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 285-5992 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 801-3129 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 690-0838 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 753-0026 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 759-4948 | 1 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- 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.