FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 February 2021
Introduction
A total of 1142 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 3 February 2021, this represented an increase from the 1077 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 711 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1142
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (711)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
The 1142 complaints recorded on 3 February 2021 were submitted from 770 cities across 52 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 128 | 11.2% |
| Florida | 100 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 88 | 7.7% |
| New York | 64 | 5.6% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 38 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 37 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 533 | 46.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 859 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 859 | 75.2% |
| Internet | 152 | 13.3% |
| TV | 102 | 8.9% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
859 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 711 | 82.8% |
| Billing | 56 | 6.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 2.9% |
| Equipment | 23 | 2.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
152 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 54 | 35.5% |
| Availability | 52 | 34.2% |
| Speed | 19 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.2% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.6% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.9% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
102 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 40 | 39.2% |
| Availability | 32 | 31.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 18 | 17.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.9% |
| Indecency | 4 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 711 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 62.3% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (210) 637-0033 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (973) 657-5158 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 953-9187 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (833) 207-9522 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 503-2995 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (941) 531-9080 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 273-9535 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 955-9537 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 617-5543 | 1 | 0.1% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 9 | 1.3% |
| (210) 637-0033 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (714) 694-7603 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (973) 657-5158 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (202) 953-9187 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (833) 566-1434 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 503-2995 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (941) 531-9080 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
- (210) 637-0033 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.