FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 October 2020
Introduction
On 29 October 2020, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1152 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1181 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with Texas slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 775 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1152
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (775)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (117)
Where the complaints came from
The 1152 complaints recorded on 29 October 2020 were submitted from 762 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 117 | 10.2% |
| California | 112 | 9.7% |
| Florida | 75 | 6.5% |
| New York | 71 | 6.2% |
| Georgia | 43 | 3.7% |
| Illinois | 42 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 41 | 3.6% |
| Arizona | 38 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 532 | 46.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 919 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 919 | 79.8% |
| Internet | 140 | 12.2% |
| TV | 78 | 6.8% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
919 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 775 | 84.3% |
| Billing | 48 | 5.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided 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
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 67 | 47.9% |
| Billing | 43 | 30.7% |
| Speed | 12 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 46.2% |
| Availability | 18 | 23.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 16.7% |
| Indecency | 5 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
775 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 67.3% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 18 | 2.3% |
| (855) 523-6111 | 4 | 0.5% |
| (251) 277-8799 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (434) 384-4031 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (716) 296-9398 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 817-2942 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (213) 652-7661 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (317) 445-6789 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (385) 331-1930 | 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.