FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 January 2021
Introduction
On 12 January 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1044 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 971 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 616 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1044
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (616)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (114)
Where the complaints came from
Across 703 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 1044 complaints were recorded on 12 January 2021. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 114 | 10.9% |
| Texas | 99 | 9.5% |
| New York | 77 | 7.4% |
| Florida | 67 | 6.4% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 40 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 39 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 31 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 467 | 44.7% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 779 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 779 | 74.6% |
| Internet | 149 | 14.3% |
| TV | 91 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.8% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
779 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 616 | 79.1% |
| Billing | 60 | 7.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.3% |
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
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 64 | 43.0% |
| Billing | 48 | 32.2% |
| Speed | 17 | 11.4% |
| Equipment | 10 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.4% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 37.4% |
| Availability | 28 | 30.8% |
| Indecency | 15 | 16.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 11.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 616 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 59% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 7 | 1.1% |
| (999) 999-9999 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (405) 537-6537 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (416) 288-5619 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (760) 227-1149 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 234-4543 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 302-9316 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 495-7116 | 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.