FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 January 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1083 consumer complaints on 19 January 2021 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 836 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 674 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1083
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (674)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (119)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1083 complaints were recorded on 19 January 2021, with reports originating from 714 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 119 | 11.0% |
| Texas | 92 | 8.5% |
| Florida | 89 | 8.2% |
| New York | 62 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 4.0% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 32 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 32 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 482 | 44.5% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 821 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 821 | 75.8% |
| Internet | 142 | 13.1% |
| TV | 98 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
821 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 674 | 82.1% |
| Billing | 65 | 7.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 24 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 10 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
142 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 42.3% |
| Availability | 48 | 33.8% |
| Speed | 15 | 10.6% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 39.8% |
| Availability | 29 | 29.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 18 | 18.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.1% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 674 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 62.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 9 | 1.3% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (330) 278-0678 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (714) 694-7603 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (999) 999-9999 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (980) 294-9400 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 306-6254 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (385) 292-1579 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (480) 210-2360 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.