FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 January 2021
Introduction
On 14 January 2021, 1046 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 991 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, without one location accounting for a clearly higher number of reports. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 660 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1046
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (660)
Where the complaints came from
The 1046 complaints recorded on 14 January 2021 originated from 729 cities across 51 states and territories. 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 104 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 104 | 9.9% |
| New York | 82 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 64 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 53 | 5.1% |
| Virginia | 45 | 4.3% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 36 | 3.4% |
| Colorado | 33 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 32 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 451 | 43.1% |
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 791 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 791 | 75.6% |
| Internet | 149 | 14.2% |
| TV | 88 | 8.4% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
791 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 660 | 83.4% |
| Billing | 42 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 20 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.8% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 63 | 42.3% |
| Availability | 44 | 29.5% |
| Speed | 15 | 10.1% |
| Privacy | 11 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.4% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
88 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 37.5% |
| Availability | 25 | 28.4% |
| Indecency | 14 | 15.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 660 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 63.1% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (970) 432-1255 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (458) 227-4030 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (469) 797-6368 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (469) 797-6518 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (817) 497-8841 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (909) 490-4727 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 635-0994 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 769-3404 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 899-1327 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 742-1615 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (970) 432-1255 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (469) 797-6368 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (469) 797-6518 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (505) 207-2640 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (562) 210-5085 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (909) 490-4727 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (925) 809-4138 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (205) 358-0672 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 397-8210 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- (970) 432-1255 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.