FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 October 2020
Introduction
On 20 October 2020, 1152 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 970 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 712 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1152
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (712)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (172)
Where the complaints came from
The 1152 complaints recorded on 20 October 2020 originated from 733 cities across 52 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 172 | 14.9% |
| Texas | 118 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 74 | 6.4% |
| New York | 63 | 5.5% |
| Ohio | 40 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 39 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.0% |
| Washington | 34 | 3.0% |
| Arizona | 31 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 507 | 44.0% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 884 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 884 | 76.7% |
| Internet | 151 | 13.1% |
| TV | 98 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
884 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 712 | 80.5% |
| Billing | 57 | 6.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 41 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
151 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 60 | 39.7% |
| Billing | 52 | 34.4% |
| Speed | 15 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 12 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 42.9% |
| Availability | 32 | 32.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
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 712 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 61.8% 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 caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (970) 401-1880 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (330) 525-2575 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (404) 819-9498 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (307) 204-7225 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (308) 660-0503 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (323) 263-2734 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (470) 616-2476 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (502) 628-2995 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (712) 318-5619 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (844) 989-1708 | 7 | 1.0% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (404) 819-9498 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (626) 263-1501 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (281) 394-4904 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (475) 252-9142 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (914) 740-4821 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 298-4043 | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
- (970) 401-1880 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.