FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 January 2021
Introduction
On 13 January 2021, 991 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1044 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 625 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 991
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (625)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (121)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 991 complaints were recorded on 13 January 2021, with reports originating from 674 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 121 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 93 | 9.4% |
| Florida | 64 | 6.5% |
| New York | 55 | 5.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.2% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.8% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.6% |
| Arizona | 34 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 444 | 44.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 762 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 762 | 76.9% |
| Internet | 135 | 13.6% |
| TV | 73 | 7.4% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
762 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 625 | 82.0% |
| Billing | 49 | 6.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
135 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 50 | 37.0% |
| Billing | 42 | 31.1% |
| Speed | 14 | 10.4% |
| Interference | 13 | 9.6% |
| Privacy | 9 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 42.5% |
| Availability | 17 | 23.3% |
| Indecency | 9 | 12.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
625 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 63.1% 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 | 10 | 1.6% |
| (714) 694-7603 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (248) 216-1545 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (325) 268-5517 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (405) 594-5169 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (833) 233-2325 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (866) 727-0473 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (999) 999-9999 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
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.