FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 October 2020
Introduction
A total of 356 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 4 October 2020, this was lower than the 442 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 44 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 190 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 356
- States & territories reporting
- 44
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (190)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (35)
Where the complaints came from
On 4 October 2020, the 356 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 264 cities across 44 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 35 | 9.8% |
| Florida | 33 | 9.3% |
| Texas | 31 | 8.7% |
| New York | 24 | 6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 22 | 6.2% |
| Arizona | 19 | 5.3% |
| Louisiana | 14 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 14 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 13 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 12 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 139 | 39.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 235 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 235 | 66.0% |
| Internet | 75 | 21.1% |
| TV | 36 | 10.1% |
| Radio | 8 | 2.2% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.6% |
Phone complaints
235 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 190 | 80.9% |
| Billing | 14 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 10 | 4.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 8 | 3.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 3 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 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 Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 28 | 37.3% |
| Billing | 17 | 22.7% |
| Speed | 16 | 21.3% |
| Interference | 6 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 5.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
36 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 15 | 41.7% |
| Billing | 8 | 22.2% |
| Indecency | 8 | 22.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5.6% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 190 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 53.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (208) 262-0000 | 6 | 3.2% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 6 | 3.2% |
| (516) 228-8041 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (917) 376-6751 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (212) 202-7520 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (215) 959-2221 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (216) 867-7855 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (218) 265-6637 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (219) 356-0787 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (239) 946-6044 | 1 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Text Message 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.