FCC Consumer Complaints – January 2021
Introduction
A total of 24772 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission in January 2021, this was higher than the 23992 complaints recorded the previous month. Complaints were reported across 54 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 13832 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 24772
- Days with complaint data
- 31
- Days with complaints
- 31
- States & territories reporting
- 54
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (13832)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (2723)
Daily complaint activity
Across the month, the FCC recorded an average of 799.1 complaints per day. The highest daily total was 1209 complaints on 27 January 2021, while 20 days recorded more complaints than the monthly daily average. The lowest daily total was 245 complaints on 1 January 2021, well below the monthly average.
Each bar represents one day of the month. Taller bars indicate more complaints.
Where the complaints came from
In January 2021, the 24772 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 5691 cities across 54 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in District of Columbia, where Washington accounted for 111 of the 117 complaints recorded in the state.
The monthly distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2723 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 2070 | 8.4% |
| Florida | 1763 | 7.1% |
| New York | 1565 | 6.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 1061 | 4.3% |
| New Jersey | 879 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 856 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 842 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 807 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 770 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 11401 | 46.0% |
Location highlight
Washington accounted for nearly all complaints recorded in District of Columbia.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded during the month were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 17652 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 17652 | 71.3% |
| Internet | 4048 | 16.3% |
| TV | 2514 | 10.1% |
| Radio | 405 | 1.6% |
| Accessibility | 83 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 52 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 18 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
17652 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 71.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 13832 | 78.4% |
| Billing | 1428 | 8.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 775 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 575 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 340 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 226 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 172 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 148 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 137 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 15 | 0.1% |
| Rural Call Completion | 4 | 0.0% |
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
4048 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 16.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 1431 | 35.4% |
| Billing | 1400 | 34.6% |
| Speed | 536 | 13.2% |
| Interference | 323 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 182 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 176 | 4.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
2514 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 928 | 36.9% |
| Availability | 643 | 25.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 393 | 15.6% |
| Indecency | 352 | 14.0% |
| Equipment | 110 | 4.4% |
| Interference | 64 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 24 | 1.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
405 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 1.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 129 | 31.9% |
| Availability | 90 | 22.2% |
| Interference | 88 | 21.7% |
| Pirate Radio | 49 | 12.1% |
| Billing | 21 | 5.2% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 15 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 13 | 3.2% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Indecency, Availability and Interference among the most common.
Accessibility complaints
83 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 0.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Captioning on TV | 32 | 38.6% |
| Closed Captioning over the Internet | 18 | 21.7% |
| Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) | 10 | 12.0% |
| Emergency Information on TV | 3 | 3.6% |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility of Wireline Phones | 2 | 2.4% |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility of Wireless Phones | 1 | 1.2% |
| Video Description | 1 | 1.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Closed Captioning on TV and Closed Captioning over the Internet, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Emergency complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 0.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 27 | 51.9% |
| Interference | 20 | 38.5% |
| Tower | 4 | 7.7% |
| Phone | 1 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Other and Interference, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
13832 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 55.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (719) 452-8970 | 29 | 0.2% |
| (719) 493-9996 | 15 | 0.1% |
| (301) 364-4249 | 14 | 0.1% |
| (530) 698-4287 | 9 | 0.1% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 8 | 0.1% |
| (240) 256-6131 | 6 | 0.0% |
| (507) 200-2918 | 6 | 0.0% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 6 | 0.0% |
| (970) 432-1255 | 6 | 0.0% |
| (401) 648-6836 | 5 | 0.0% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 191 | 1.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 39 | 0.3% |
| (999) 999-9999 | 37 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 33 | 0.2% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 28 | 0.2% |
| (714) 694-7603 | 18 | 0.1% |
| (301) 364-6623 | 14 | 0.1% |
| (719) 493-9996 | 13 | 0.1% |
| (980) 294-9400 | 12 | 0.1% |
| (530) 698-4287 | 9 | 0.1% |
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.
- (719) 452-8970 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.