FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 October 2020
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 540 consumer complaints on 31 October 2020 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1008 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with California recording the largest share of reports at 121 complaints. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 327 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 540
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (327)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (121)
Where the complaints came from
On 31 October 2020, the 540 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 337 cities across 46 states and territories. Complaints were less evenly distributed than usual, with California accounting for the highest proportion of reports. The strongest city-level concentration occurred in North Carolina, where Fayetteville accounted for 23 of the 34 reports recorded.
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 | 121 | 22.4% |
| Texas | 49 | 9.1% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 6.3% |
| Florida | 33 | 6.1% |
| New York | 25 | 4.6% |
| New Jersey | 20 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 19 | 3.5% |
| Iowa | 18 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 18 | 3.3% |
| Maryland | 17 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 186 | 34.4% |
Location highlights
- A large share of complaints in North Carolina originated from Fayetteville, which accounted for most reports within the state.
- California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 48 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 383 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 383 | 70.9% |
| Internet | 107 | 19.8% |
| TV | 43 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 6 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
383 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 327 | 85.4% |
| Billing | 15 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 0.5% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 49 | 45.8% |
| Billing | 17 | 15.9% |
| Privacy | 11 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 10 | 9.3% |
| Speed | 10 | 9.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 16 | 37.2% |
| Billing | 14 | 32.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 14.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
327 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 60.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 523-6111 | 10 | 3.1% |
| (720) 702-9577 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (202) 793-5251 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (323) 294-3045 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (361) 317-3637 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (573) 955-1663 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (609) 991-9643 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (702) 931-9822 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (833) 228-9498 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (978) 588-1218 | 2 | 0.6% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 13 | 4.0% |
| (202) 793-5251 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (202) 919-6904 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (206) 313-2292 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (207) 218-0143 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (207) 223-3055 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (207) 271-7169 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (207) 477-5470 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (212) 677-5728 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (216) 327-7008 | 1 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Text Message was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (855) 523-6111 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.