FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 September 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1020 consumer complaints on 28 September 2020 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 363 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 657 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1020
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (657)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (112)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 28 September 2020 show 1020 complaints originating from 666 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 112 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 84 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 77 | 7.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 67 | 6.6% |
| New York | 53 | 5.2% |
| Georgia | 43 | 4.2% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | 29 | 2.8% |
| Ohio | 29 | 2.8% |
| Colorado | 28 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 455 | 44.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 791 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 791 | 77.5% |
| Internet | 127 | 12.5% |
| TV | 87 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
791 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 657 | 83.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 42 | 5.3% |
| Billing | 34 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
127 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 59 | 46.5% |
| Billing | 34 | 26.8% |
| Equipment | 13 | 10.2% |
| Speed | 10 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 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
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 46.0% |
| Availability | 26 | 29.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.7% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
657 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 64.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (702) 840-4597 | 8 | 1.2% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (657) 312-4591 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (843) 314-5978 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (213) 296-0944 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (217) 295-2554 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (360) 526-0629 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (602) 649-6173 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (610) 982-7711 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (702) 840-4597 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- 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.