FCC Consumer Complaints – 10 October 2020
Introduction
On 10 October 2020, 602 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1495 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 602
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (265)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (74)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 10 October 2020 show 602 complaints originating from 433 cities across 48 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 74 | 12.3% |
| Florida | 55 | 9.1% |
| Texas | 41 | 6.8% |
| Puerto Rico | 36 | 6.0% |
| New York | 30 | 5.0% |
| Arizona | 29 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 27 | 4.5% |
| Virginia | 27 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 23 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 21 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 237 | 39.4% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 321 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 321 | 53.3% |
| Radio | 137 | 22.8% |
| TV | 93 | 15.4% |
| Internet | 48 | 8.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
321 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 53.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 265 | 82.6% |
| Billing | 16 | 5.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 11 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 10 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 1.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.3% |
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 Privacy.
Radio complaints
137 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 113 | 82.5% |
| Availability | 17 | 12.4% |
| Pirate Radio | 4 | 2.9% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 2 | 1.5% |
| Billing | 1 | 0.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 45 | 48.4% |
| Availability | 16 | 17.2% |
| Billing | 12 | 12.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 12.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Internet complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 41.7% |
| Availability | 14 | 29.2% |
| Speed | 8 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 265 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 44% 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 | 2.3% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 3 | 1.1% |
| (207) 613-5783 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (207) 690-4053 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (425) 523-7003 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (480) 691-3595 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 2 | 0.8% |
| (202) 998-3659 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (206) 989-3001 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (207) 280-8542 | 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.