FCC Consumer Complaints – 9 October 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1495 consumer complaints on Friday, 9 October 2020 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1040 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1495
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (713)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (174)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1495 complaints were recorded on 9 October 2020, with reports originating from 912 cities in 52 states and territories. 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 174 | 11.6% |
| Texas | 118 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 107 | 7.2% |
| New York | 90 | 6.0% |
| Washington | 59 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 57 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 53 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 50 | 3.3% |
| Maryland | 48 | 3.2% |
| Colorado | 47 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 692 | 46.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 841 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 841 | 56.3% |
| Radio | 476 | 31.8% |
| Internet | 107 | 7.2% |
| TV | 68 | 4.5% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
841 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 56.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 713 | 84.8% |
| Billing | 46 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 22 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.2% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Radio complaints
476 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 31.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 410 | 86.1% |
| Availability | 57 | 12.0% |
| Pirate Radio | 5 | 1.1% |
| Billing | 2 | 0.4% |
| Interference | 2 | 0.4% |
Indecency and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Internet complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 45 | 42.1% |
| Billing | 31 | 29.0% |
| Speed | 17 | 15.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.8% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 41.2% |
| Availability | 23 | 33.8% |
| Indecency | 7 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.4% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
713 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 47.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (228) 220-3019 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (301) 917-3785 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (513) 831-2600 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (720) 702-9232 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 555-0196 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 218-7098 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 743-5494 | 1 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice 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.