FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 January 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1153 consumer complaints on Friday, 22 January 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1082 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 most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 712 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1153
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (712)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (118)
Where the complaints came from
Across 762 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 1153 complaints were recorded on 22 January 2021. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 118 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 79 | 6.9% |
| New York | 75 | 6.5% |
| Texas | 69 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 54 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 51 | 4.4% |
| Missouri | 45 | 3.9% |
| New Jersey | 45 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 44 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 40 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 532 | 46.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 891 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 891 | 77.3% |
| Internet | 145 | 12.6% |
| TV | 95 | 8.2% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
891 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 712 | 79.9% |
| Billing | 69 | 7.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 2.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
145 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 41.4% |
| Availability | 55 | 37.9% |
| Speed | 16 | 11.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 2.8% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 44.2% |
| Indecency | 18 | 18.9% |
| Availability | 16 | 16.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 11.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.2% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.1% |
Billing and Indecency accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 712 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 61.8% 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 | 10 | 1.4% |
| (504) 401-9094 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (269) 309-4407 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (281) 860-2325 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (703) 844-6526 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (703) 844-7334 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (720) 797-8148 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 770-4696 | 1 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- 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.