FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 October 2020

Introduction

On 28 October 2020, 1181 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 1116 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 769 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1181
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (769)
Most reported state/territory
California (152)

Where the complaints came from

The 1181 complaints recorded on 28 October 2020 originated from 748 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.

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 152 12.9%
Florida 110 9.3%
Texas 96 8.1%
New York 79 6.7%
Michigan 42 3.6%
Georgia 39 3.3%
Illinois 39 3.3%
Pennsylvania 39 3.3%
Washington 39 3.3%
Massachusetts 36 3.0%
Other states and territories 508 43.0%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 903 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 903 76.5%
Internet 171 14.5%
TV 85 7.2%
Radio 17 1.4%
Accessibility 4 0.3%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

903 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 769 85.2%
Availability (including rural call completion) 36 4.0%
Billing 36 4.0%
Equipment 25 2.8%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 10 1.1%
Privacy 9 1.0%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 8 0.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 6 0.7%
Junk Faxes 3 0.3%
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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment among the most common.

Internet complaints

171 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 60 35.1%
Billing 53 31.0%
Speed 21 12.3%
Interference 17 9.9%
Equipment 14 8.2%
Privacy 6 3.5%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

TV complaints

85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 26 30.6%
Billing 26 30.6%
Indecency 11 12.9%
Equipment 9 10.6%
Loud Commercials 7 8.2%
Interference 6 7.1%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Unwanted calls

769 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 65.1% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.

Most reported caller ID numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(507) 664-9057 5 0.7%
(202) 817-2942 2 0.3%
(609) 691-4032 2 0.3%
(754) 215-3617 2 0.3%
(763) 284-6123 2 0.3%
(954) 514-4412 2 0.3%
(201) 528-4284 1 0.1%
(201) 571-1982 1 0.1%
(202) 235-8918 1 0.1%
(202) 770-4607 1 0.1%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(315) 232-8257 8 1.0%
(844) 989-1708 4 0.5%
(202) 817-2942 2 0.3%
(360) 399-6416 2 0.3%
(386) 259-3158 2 0.3%
(609) 691-4032 2 0.3%
(800) 991-8708 2 0.3%
(812) 692-6478 2 0.3%
(877) 322-3015 2 0.3%
(954) 514-4412 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.
  • (507) 664-9057 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 29 October 2020 with FCC complaints data from 28 October 2020.

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.