FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 February 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1101 consumer complaints on 12 February 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1148 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 678 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1101
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (678)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (120)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1101 complaints were recorded on 12 February 2021, with reports originating from 718 cities in 51 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 | 120 | 10.9% |
| Florida | 98 | 8.9% |
| Texas | 85 | 7.7% |
| New York | 78 | 7.1% |
| Ohio | 48 | 4.4% |
| North Carolina | 41 | 3.7% |
| Massachusetts | 39 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 38 | 3.5% |
| Minnesota | 37 | 3.4% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 479 | 43.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 830 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 830 | 75.4% |
| Internet | 145 | 13.2% |
| TV | 97 | 8.8% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
830 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 678 | 81.7% |
| Billing | 57 | 6.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 32 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 30 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 1 | 0.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
145 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 50 | 34.5% |
| Availability | 49 | 33.8% |
| Speed | 17 | 11.7% |
| Privacy | 11 | 7.6% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.5% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
97 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 39.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 22 | 22.7% |
| Availability | 17 | 17.5% |
| Indecency | 10 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 7.2% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.0% |
Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 678 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 61.6% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (218) 542-8025 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (650) 984-8878 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (833) 207-9519 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (951) 543-4557 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (980) 294-9400 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 620-3988 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 372-5058 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 567-6873 | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
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.