FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 October 2020
Introduction
On Saturday, 3 October 2020, 442 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 996 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 44 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 250 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 442
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (250)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (56)
Where the complaints came from
Across 328 cities in 44 states and territories, a total of 442 complaints were recorded on 3 October 2020. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 56 | 12.7% |
| Florida | 46 | 10.4% |
| Texas | 32 | 7.2% |
| New York | 24 | 5.4% |
| Colorado | 23 | 5.2% |
| Georgia | 20 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 20 | 4.5% |
| New Jersey | 17 | 3.8% |
| Wisconsin | 17 | 3.8% |
| Washington | 16 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 171 | 38.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 316 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 316 | 71.5% |
| Internet | 79 | 17.9% |
| TV | 39 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 4 | 0.9% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
316 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 250 | 79.1% |
| Billing | 24 | 7.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 11 | 3.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 3.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 1 | 0.3% |
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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 25 | 31.6% |
| Billing | 23 | 29.1% |
| Speed | 13 | 16.5% |
| Interference | 7 | 8.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.1% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 13 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 10 | 25.6% |
| Indecency | 6 | 15.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 15.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 5.1% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Indecency.
Unwanted calls
There were 250 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 56.6% 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 | 6 | 2.4% |
| (949) 298-6554 | 3 | 1.2% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (408) 674-8108 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (773) 570-3030 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (800) 252-7922 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (203) 240-6858 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (204) 529-7027 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (205) 964-5646 | 1 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls 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.