FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 January 2021
Introduction
A total of 1082 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 21 January 2021, this represented an increase from the 1042 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 658 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1082
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (658)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (123)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 21 January 2021 show 1082 complaints originating from 725 cities across 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 123 | 11.4% |
| Texas | 109 | 10.1% |
| Florida | 67 | 6.2% |
| New York | 64 | 5.9% |
| Colorado | 48 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 4.1% |
| Washington | 44 | 4.1% |
| Virginia | 40 | 3.7% |
| New Jersey | 39 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 33 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 469 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 807 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 807 | 74.6% |
| Internet | 164 | 15.2% |
| TV | 87 | 8.0% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
807 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 658 | 81.5% |
| Billing | 59 | 7.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
164 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 57 | 34.8% |
| Availability | 53 | 32.3% |
| Speed | 24 | 14.6% |
| Interference | 16 | 9.8% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
87 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 34 | 39.1% |
| Availability | 22 | 25.3% |
| Indecency | 12 | 13.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 9.2% |
| Interference | 6 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
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 658 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 60.8% 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 caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (719) 493-9996 | 14 | 2.1% |
| (220) 200-3327 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 807-3863 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (412) 504-7314 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (469) 797-6483 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (559) 474-8123 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (704) 266-9982 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (715) 804-1011 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (888) 207-1231 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (719) 493-9996 | 12 | 1.8% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 8 | 1.2% |
| (562) 348-1838 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (714) 694-7603 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (407) 469-5100 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (469) 797-6483 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (715) 804-1011 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 283-3287 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (888) 681-3272 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (719) 493-9996 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (719) 493-9996 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.