FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 September 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1100 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 29 September 2020 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1020 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 696 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1100
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (696)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
The 1100 complaints recorded on 29 September 2020 originated from 731 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. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 129 | 11.7% |
| Texas | 86 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 74 | 6.7% |
| New York | 74 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 59 | 5.4% |
| New Jersey | 46 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 40 | 3.6% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 32 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 481 | 43.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 89 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 843 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 843 | 76.6% |
| Internet | 158 | 14.4% |
| TV | 89 | 8.1% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
843 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 696 | 82.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 44 | 5.2% |
| Billing | 40 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
158 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 70 | 44.3% |
| Billing | 51 | 32.3% |
| Speed | 19 | 12.0% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.2% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 42.7% |
| Availability | 24 | 27.0% |
| Equipment | 13 | 14.6% |
| Indecency | 7 | 7.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 696 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 63.3% 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 business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 13 | 1.9% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (304) 244-2370 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (346) 354-2294 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (833) 390-1236 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 745-9460 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 790-2700 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (937) 317-4665 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 750-4090 | 1 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 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.