FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 January 2021

Introduction

A total of 971 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 11 January 2021, this represented an increase from the 315 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 489 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
971
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (489)
Most reported state/territory
California (93)

Where the complaints came from

Across 678 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 971 complaints were recorded on 11 January 2021. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

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 93 9.6%
New York 72 7.4%
Texas 71 7.3%
Florida 67 6.9%
Pennsylvania 42 4.3%
New Jersey 36 3.7%
North Carolina 35 3.6%
Illinois 32 3.3%
Ohio 31 3.2%
Massachusetts 30 3.1%
Other states and territories 460 47.4%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 652 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 652 67.1%
Internet 173 17.8%
TV 114 11.7%
Radio 26 2.7%
Accessibility 5 0.5%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

652 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 489 75.0%
Billing 58 8.9%
Availability (including rural call completion) 39 6.0%
Equipment 27 4.1%
Privacy 14 2.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 12 1.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 5 0.8%
Junk Faxes 5 0.8%
Interference (including signal jammers) 3 0.5%

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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.

Internet complaints

173 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 79 45.7%
Billing 48 27.7%
Speed 20 11.6%
Interference 16 9.2%
Equipment 6 3.5%
Privacy 4 2.3%

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

TV complaints

114 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 39 34.2%
Availability 33 28.9%
Indecency 21 18.4%
Loud Commercials 12 10.5%
Equipment 6 5.3%
Privacy 3 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

489 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 50.4% 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 8 1.6%
(501) 628-9449 2 0.4%
(603) 484-8042 2 0.4%
(719) 452-8970 2 0.4%
(855) 733-1900 2 0.4%
(916) 419-2837 2 0.4%
(919) 679-1062 2 0.4%
(201) 295-4800 1 0.2%
(202) 301-6746 1 0.2%
(202) 770-4712 1 0.2%

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.
Page last updated: 12 January 2021 with FCC complaints data from 11 January 2021.

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.