FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 October 2020
Introduction
On Tuesday, 27 October 2020, 1116 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 883 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 699 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1116
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (699)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (111)
Where the complaints came from
On 27 October 2020, the 1116 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 735 cities across 50 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 111 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 99 | 8.9% |
| Florida | 84 | 7.5% |
| New York | 77 | 6.9% |
| Illinois | 43 | 3.9% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.8% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.4% |
| Tennessee | 38 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 37 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 503 | 45.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 867 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 867 | 77.7% |
| Internet | 148 | 13.3% |
| TV | 81 | 7.3% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
867 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 699 | 80.6% |
| Billing | 57 | 6.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 46 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 0.6% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section 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
148 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 55 | 37.2% |
| Availability | 51 | 34.5% |
| Speed | 16 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
81 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 44.4% |
| Availability | 22 | 27.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 12.3% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 699 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 62.6% 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 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (623) 815-1222 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (866) 994-1699 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (321) 616-6684 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (541) 461-5269 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 584-8315 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (925) 209-2715 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 262-8805 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 281-7959 | 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.
- 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.