FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 October 2020
Introduction
On 7 October 2020, 1123 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1124 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 709 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1123
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (709)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (129)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1123 complaints were recorded on 7 October 2020, with reports originating from 749 cities in 52 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 11.5% |
| Florida | 87 | 7.7% |
| Texas | 86 | 7.7% |
| New York | 64 | 5.7% |
| Ohio | 45 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 44 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 41 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 507 | 45.1% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 89 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 840 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 840 | 74.8% |
| Internet | 166 | 14.8% |
| TV | 97 | 8.6% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
840 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 709 | 84.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 4.0% |
| Billing | 34 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.0% |
| Equipment | 15 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
166 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 68 | 41.0% |
| Billing | 57 | 34.3% |
| Speed | 19 | 11.4% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.8% |
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 | 26 | 26.8% |
| Indecency | 11 | 11.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 7.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
709 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 63.1% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (586) 879-1222 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (805) 608-4501 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (213) 205-6039 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (614) 953-1177 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (810) 202-1706 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 590-4225 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 788-1112 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (203) 806-7360 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (205) 414-1644 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 1 | 0.1% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (586) 879-1222 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (855) 584-8315 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (347) 404-4078 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (805) 608-4501 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (810) 202-1706 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 200-3504 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 231-5262 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 469-4662 | 1 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (586) 879-1222 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.