FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 January 2021
Introduction
On 7 January 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 915 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 976 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 509 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 915
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (509)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (114)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 915 complaints were recorded on 7 January 2021, with reports originating from 617 cities in 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 114 | 12.5% |
| Texas | 62 | 6.8% |
| New York | 58 | 6.3% |
| Florida | 55 | 6.0% |
| Ohio | 50 | 5.5% |
| North Carolina | 33 | 3.6% |
| Indiana | 32 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 31 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 30 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 28 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 420 | 45.9% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 73 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 663 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 663 | 72.5% |
| Internet | 136 | 14.9% |
| TV | 86 | 9.4% |
| Radio | 24 | 2.6% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
663 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 509 | 76.8% |
| Billing | 51 | 7.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 41 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 23 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
136 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 33.8% |
| Availability | 41 | 30.1% |
| Speed | 24 | 17.6% |
| Interference | 16 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.1% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 40.7% |
| Indecency | 23 | 26.7% |
| Availability | 19 | 22.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 3 | 3.5% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Indecency were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 509 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 55.6% 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 | 1.0% |
| (800) 973-5095 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (657) 859-0616 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (866) 919-0291 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (999) 999-9999 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 581-4738 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 921-3369 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 968-2172 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 537-0830 | 1 | 0.2% |
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.