FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 October 2020
Introduction
A total of 1135 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 22 October 2020, this represented an increase from the 1100 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 713 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1135
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (713)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (145)
Where the complaints came from
On 22 October 2020, the 1135 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 735 cities across 51 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 shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 145 | 12.8% |
| Florida | 94 | 8.3% |
| Texas | 94 | 8.3% |
| New York | 88 | 7.8% |
| Colorado | 48 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 47 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 36 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 470 | 41.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 855 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 855 | 75.3% |
| Internet | 166 | 14.6% |
| TV | 90 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 21 | 1.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
855 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 713 | 83.4% |
| Billing | 45 | 5.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 2.1% |
| Equipment | 17 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
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 Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
166 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 62 | 37.3% |
| Billing | 42 | 25.3% |
| Speed | 27 | 16.3% |
| Interference | 15 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 11 | 6.6% |
| Privacy | 9 | 5.4% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
90 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 45.6% |
| Availability | 26 | 28.9% |
| Indecency | 9 | 10.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.6% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 713 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 62.8% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 11 | 1.5% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (855) 523-6111 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (208) 262-0000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (501) 356-3928 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (517) 948-5032 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (562) 202-5831 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (609) 222-1617 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (720) 874-1092 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 991-2880 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.