FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 September 2020
Introduction
On Wednesday, 30 September 2020, 1178 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1100 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 775 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1178
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (775)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (136)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1178 complaints were recorded on 30 September 2020, with reports originating from 763 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Kentucky, where Frankfort accounted for 30 of the 44 complaints recorded.
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 | 136 | 11.5% |
| Texas | 92 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 80 | 6.8% |
| New York | 73 | 6.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 50 | 4.2% |
| Kentucky | 44 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 44 | 3.7% |
| Colorado | 41 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 527 | 44.7% |
Location highlight
Frankfort accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Kentucky.
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 914 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 914 | 77.6% |
| Internet | 155 | 13.2% |
| TV | 91 | 7.7% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
914 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 775 | 84.8% |
| Billing | 32 | 3.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 2.3% |
| Equipment | 16 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
155 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 63 | 40.6% |
| Billing | 47 | 30.3% |
| Speed | 26 | 16.8% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 6 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 45.1% |
| Availability | 22 | 24.2% |
| Equipment | 11 | 12.1% |
| Indecency | 10 | 11.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
775 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 65.8% 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 | 7 | 0.9% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 7 | 0.9% |
| (888) 206-5330 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (702) 840-4597 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 769-0838 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (213) 442-1559 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (253) 398-7813 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (951) 350-1739 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.