FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 January 2021

Introduction

The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1055 consumer complaints on Monday, 25 January 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 380 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 545 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1055
States & territories reporting
50
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (545)
Most reported state/territory
California (119)

Where the complaints came from

On 25 January 2021, the 1055 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 712 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.

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 119 11.3%
Texas 106 10.0%
Florida 93 8.8%
New York 62 5.9%
Pennsylvania 43 4.1%
Illinois 42 4.0%
New Jersey 42 4.0%
Virginia 42 4.0%
Arizona 41 3.9%
Ohio 33 3.1%
Other states and territories 426 40.4%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 710 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 710 67.3%
Internet 204 19.3%
TV 118 11.2%
Radio 15 1.4%
Accessibility 7 0.7%
Emergency 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

710 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 545 76.8%
Billing 61 8.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 36 5.1%
Equipment 20 2.8%
Privacy 12 1.7%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 10 1.4%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 9 1.3%
Interference (including signal jammers) 9 1.3%
Junk Faxes 8 1.1%

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

204 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 86 42.2%
Availability 64 31.4%
Speed 24 11.8%
Equipment 11 5.4%
Interference 10 4.9%
Privacy 9 4.4%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

TV complaints

118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 11.2% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 52 44.1%
Availability 20 16.9%
Indecency 14 11.9%
Loud Commercials 14 11.9%
Equipment 11 9.3%
Interference 7 5.9%

Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.

Unwanted calls

545 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 51.7% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(315) 232-8257 6 1.1%
(980) 294-9400 4 0.7%
(520) 518-3252 3 0.6%
(214) 569-8132 2 0.4%
(562) 486-9223 2 0.4%
(999) 999-9999 2 0.4%
(203) 792-4120 1 0.2%
(206) 852-7634 1 0.2%
(207) 250-5691 1 0.2%
(207) 707-1386 1 0.2%

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.
Page last updated: 26 January 2021 with FCC complaints data from 25 January 2021.

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.