FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 February 2021
Introduction
On 13 February 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 474 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1101 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 46 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 280 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 474
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (280)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (59)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 13 February 2021 show 474 complaints originating from 339 cities across 46 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 59 | 12.4% |
| Texas | 47 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 35 | 7.4% |
| New York | 24 | 5.1% |
| Washington | 22 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 21 | 4.4% |
| Missouri | 20 | 4.2% |
| Maryland | 17 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 15 | 3.2% |
| Virginia | 15 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 199 | 42.0% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 48 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 337 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 337 | 71.1% |
| Internet | 65 | 13.7% |
| TV | 59 | 12.4% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.9% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
337 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 280 | 83.1% |
| Billing | 17 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 13 | 3.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 12 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.3% |
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
65 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22 | 33.8% |
| Availability | 15 | 23.1% |
| Speed | 11 | 16.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 15.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 3 | 4.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Speed.
TV complaints
59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 32.2% |
| Availability | 14 | 23.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 23.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 13.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
Unwanted calls
A total of 280 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 59.1% 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 | 7 | 2.5% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 3 | 1.1% |
| (202) 872-2000 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (855) 922-4276 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (201) 347-0028 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (202) 870-5285 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (202) 871-4199 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (202) 969-0519 | 1 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 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.