FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 January 2021
Introduction
A total of 1027 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 15 January 2021, this was lower than the 1046 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with Texas slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 661 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1027
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (661)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (98)
Where the complaints came from
The 1027 complaints recorded on 15 January 2021 were submitted from 717 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 98 | 9.5% |
| California | 94 | 9.2% |
| Florida | 93 | 9.1% |
| New York | 68 | 6.6% |
| Illinois | 46 | 4.5% |
| New Jersey | 46 | 4.5% |
| Virginia | 42 | 4.1% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.4% |
| Colorado | 34 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 436 | 42.5% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 810 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 810 | 78.9% |
| Internet | 121 | 11.8% |
| TV | 80 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
810 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 661 | 81.6% |
| Billing | 56 | 6.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 36 | 4.4% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.4% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 49 | 40.5% |
| Availability | 39 | 32.2% |
| Speed | 15 | 12.4% |
| Privacy | 7 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
80 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 40.0% |
| Availability | 19 | 23.8% |
| Indecency | 12 | 15.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 13.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
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 661 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 64.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (330) 975-8643 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (240) 256-6131 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (330) 739-8634 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (347) 382-7601 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (571) 302-9782 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (810) 204-4469 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (833) 304-1447 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.