FCC Consumer Complaints – 30 January 2021

Introduction

On Saturday, 30 January 2021, 460 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1050 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 44 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 268 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
460
States & territories reporting
44
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (268)
Most reported state/territory
California (58)

Where the complaints came from

The 460 complaints recorded on 30 January 2021 originated from 337 cities across 44 states and territories. 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 58 12.6%
Texas 44 9.6%
Florida 42 9.1%
Michigan 24 5.2%
New York 20 4.3%
Maryland 19 4.1%
New Jersey 15 3.3%
Colorado 14 3.0%
Pennsylvania 14 3.0%
Arizona 13 2.8%
Other states and territories 197 42.8%

What the complaints were about

A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 336 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 336 73.0%
Internet 76 16.5%
TV 39 8.5%
Radio 7 1.5%
Accessibility 1 0.2%
Emergency 1 0.2%

Phone complaints

336 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.0% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 268 79.8%
Billing 22 6.5%
Equipment 16 4.8%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 8 2.4%
Availability (including rural call completion) 7 2.1%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 7 2.1%
Privacy 6 1.8%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 0.6%

As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).

Internet complaints

76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 26 34.2%
Availability 21 27.6%
Speed 20 26.3%
Privacy 4 5.3%
Interference 3 3.9%
Equipment 2 2.6%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

TV complaints

39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 14 35.9%
Loud Commercials 10 25.6%
Availability 8 20.5%
Indecency 5 12.8%
Interference 2 5.1%

Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Unwanted calls

There were 268 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 58.3% 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
(301) 364-4249 7 2.6%
(231) 744-7737 3 1.1%
(240) 357-8625 2 0.7%
(442) 441-3579 2 0.7%
(502) 562-8235 2 0.7%
(707) 868-0018 2 0.7%
(201) 518-8285 1 0.4%
(202) 869-2280 1 0.4%
(202) 869-3599 1 0.4%
(203) 347-2962 1 0.4%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(315) 232-8257 10 3.7%
(301) 364-6623 7 2.6%
(502) 562-8235 2 0.7%
(901) 203-6375 2 0.7%
(202) 869-2280 1 0.4%
(202) 869-3599 1 0.4%
(202) 964-9536 1 0.4%
(203) 941-6020 1 0.4%
(210) 651-9556 1 0.4%
(219) 688-8961 1 0.4%

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.
  • (301) 364-4249 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 31 January 2021 with FCC complaints data from 30 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.