FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 October 2020
Introduction
On 6 October 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1124 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1056 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 698 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1124
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (698)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1124 complaints were recorded on 6 October 2020, with reports originating from 757 cities in 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 | 128 | 11.4% |
| Texas | 109 | 9.7% |
| Florida | 86 | 7.7% |
| New York | 84 | 7.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 4.8% |
| Georgia | 41 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 39 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 2.8% |
| North Carolina | 28 | 2.5% |
| Other states and territories | 484 | 43.1% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 80 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
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 864 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 864 | 76.9% |
| Internet | 153 | 13.6% |
| TV | 97 | 8.6% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.8% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
864 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 698 | 80.8% |
| Billing | 64 | 7.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
153 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 59 | 38.6% |
| Billing | 53 | 34.6% |
| Speed | 25 | 16.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.3% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 46.4% |
| Availability | 16 | 16.5% |
| Indecency | 15 | 15.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
698 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 62.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (844) 989-1708 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (202) 773-2265 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (207) 544-1417 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (225) 663-1844 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (540) 277-9075 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (623) 253-1844 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (785) 510-2791 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (843) 755-4490 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (844) 989-1708 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.