FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 January 2021
Introduction
A total of 836 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 18 January 2021, this represented an increase from the 336 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 518 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 836
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (518)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (73)
Where the complaints came from
The 836 complaints recorded on 18 January 2021 originated from 604 cities across 50 states and territories. The complaints were widely dispersed, with no single state or territory representing a notable proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 73 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 65 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 60 | 7.2% |
| New York | 50 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 4.4% |
| New Jersey | 32 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 30 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 29 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 28 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 28 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 403 | 48.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 55 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 617 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 617 | 73.8% |
| Internet | 118 | 14.1% |
| TV | 82 | 9.8% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.6% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
617 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 518 | 84.0% |
| Billing | 30 | 4.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 9 | 1.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 9 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.8% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 46 | 39.0% |
| Billing | 46 | 39.0% |
| Speed | 9 | 7.6% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.4% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 30 | 36.6% |
| Billing | 27 | 32.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 15.9% |
| Indecency | 9 | 11.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.2% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 518 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 62% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 6 | 1.2% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 4 | 0.8% |
| (530) 698-4287 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (540) 456-0671 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (999) 999-9999 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 367-5324 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 580-0797 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (208) 207-8066 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (213) 328-5139 | 1 | 0.2% |
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.