FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 January 2021
Introduction
On Tuesday, 26 January 2021, 1091 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 1055 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 592 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1091
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (592)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (126)
Where the complaints came from
On 26 January 2021, the 1091 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 706 cities across 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 126 | 11.5% |
| Texas | 89 | 8.2% |
| Florida | 75 | 6.9% |
| Illinois | 56 | 5.1% |
| New York | 55 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | 4.1% |
| New Jersey | 43 | 3.9% |
| Arizona | 40 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 36 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 486 | 44.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 93 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 775 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 775 | 71.0% |
| Internet | 184 | 16.9% |
| TV | 100 | 9.2% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.6% |
| Accessibility | 11 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
775 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 592 | 76.4% |
| Billing | 67 | 8.6% |
| Equipment | 35 | 4.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 4.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
184 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 73 | 39.7% |
| Availability | 57 | 31.0% |
| Speed | 28 | 15.2% |
| Equipment | 9 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 4.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
100 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 44 | 44.0% |
| Availability | 23 | 23.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 15.0% |
| Indecency | 9 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
592 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 54.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (555) 555-5555 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (765) 271-7927 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (866) 200-4462 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (866) 918-1460 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (304) 387-5439 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (407) 492-7337 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (708) 290-3847 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (714) 694-7603 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (970) 627-4011 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (555) 555-5555 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.