FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 February 2021
Introduction
A total of 1061 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Friday, 19 February 2021, this was higher than the 1037 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 682 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1061
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (682)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (104)
Where the complaints came from
On 19 February 2021, the 1061 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 675 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. 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 | 104 | 9.8% |
| Texas | 99 | 9.3% |
| Florida | 92 | 8.7% |
| New York | 68 | 6.4% |
| Maryland | 55 | 5.2% |
| Virginia | 52 | 4.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 42 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.4% |
| Massachusetts | 32 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 428 | 40.3% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 5 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 810 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 810 | 76.3% |
| Internet | 151 | 14.2% |
| TV | 89 | 8.4% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.6% |
| Radio | 5 | 0.5% |
Phone complaints
810 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 682 | 84.2% |
| Billing | 51 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 16 | 2.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
151 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 67 | 44.4% |
| Billing | 40 | 26.5% |
| Speed | 26 | 17.2% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.6% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
89 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 38 | 42.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 21 | 23.6% |
| Availability | 19 | 21.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.6% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
682 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 64.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (973) 657-5158 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (214) 432-0038 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (240) 509-1681 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (412) 457-8943 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (619) 628-5346 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (973) 987-8269 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 907-1522 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 718-6320 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 750-5971 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (203) 394-9976 | 1 | 0.1% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (973) 657-5158 | 6 | 0.9% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (980) 294-9400 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (239) 264-1508 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (619) 628-5346 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (702) 801-9011 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (705) 392-2534 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 650-1359 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (912) 437-6174 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- (973) 657-5158 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.