FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 January 2021
Introduction
On 31 January 2021, 391 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 460 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 43 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 189 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 391
- States & territories reporting
- 43
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (189)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (59)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 391 complaints were recorded on 31 January 2021, with reports originating from 263 cities in 43 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. Despite the overall distribution, a notable concentration at the city level was observed in Pennsylvania, where Upland accounted for 21 of the 32 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 59 | 15.1% |
| Texas | 41 | 10.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | 8.2% |
| New York | 24 | 6.1% |
| Tennessee | 17 | 4.3% |
| Kentucky | 16 | 4.1% |
| Maryland | 16 | 4.1% |
| Arizona | 13 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 13 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 12 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 147 | 37.6% |
Location highlights
- Upland accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Pennsylvania.
- Complaints in California were reported across 36 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 248 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 248 | 63.4% |
| Internet | 76 | 19.4% |
| TV | 54 | 13.8% |
| Radio | 5 | 1.3% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.8% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
248 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 63.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 189 | 76.2% |
| Billing | 20 | 8.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 11 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 4 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 2 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.4% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 27 | 35.5% |
| Billing | 24 | 31.6% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.2% |
| Interference | 7 | 9.2% |
| Speed | 6 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
54 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 17 | 31.5% |
| Availability | 16 | 29.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 27.8% |
| Indecency | 4 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
189 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 48.3% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (301) 364-4249 | 7 | 3.7% |
| (201) 383-6435 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (208) 804-2020 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (209) 219-3634 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (212) 265-2652 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (213) 223-7906 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (213) 319-6233 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (218) 433-9066 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (231) 246-1689 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (240) 617-0423 | 1 | 0.5% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 10 | 5.3% |
| (301) 364-6623 | 7 | 3.7% |
| (844) 290-3806 | 2 | 1.1% |
| (201) 254-0445 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (201) 383-6435 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (209) 219-3634 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (209) 813-4003 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (209) 813-4154 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (212) 265-2652 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (213) 319-6233 | 1 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls 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.
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.