FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 February 2021
Introduction
On Saturday, 20 February 2021, 521 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1061 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 276 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 521
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (276)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (64)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 521 complaints were recorded on 20 February 2021, with reports originating from 365 cities in 48 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 64 | 12.3% |
| Texas | 43 | 8.3% |
| Arizona | 34 | 6.5% |
| Florida | 34 | 6.5% |
| Virginia | 32 | 6.1% |
| New York | 30 | 5.8% |
| Illinois | 24 | 4.6% |
| Missouri | 19 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 17 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 17 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 207 | 39.7% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 347 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 347 | 66.6% |
| Internet | 95 | 18.2% |
| TV | 55 | 10.6% |
| Radio | 14 | 2.7% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.6% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
347 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 276 | 79.5% |
| Billing | 19 | 5.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 15 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 13 | 3.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 2.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 1 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
95 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 32.6% |
| Availability | 29 | 30.5% |
| Speed | 14 | 14.7% |
| Interference | 9 | 9.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
55 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 17 | 30.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 29.1% |
| Availability | 12 | 21.8% |
| Indecency | 6 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
Billing and Loud Commercials accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 276 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 53% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (310) 202-1712 | 5 | 1.8% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (202) 792-9309 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (202) 964-1618 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (206) 614-0995 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (208) 722-0217 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (214) 363-3248 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (217) 203-6231 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (217) 207-8162 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (217) 282-0168 | 1 | 0.4% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 7 | 2.5% |
| (866) 200-3504 | 4 | 1.4% |
| (310) 202-1712 | 3 | 1.1% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (202) 664-0907 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (202) 792-9309 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (206) 337-2688 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (207) 540-9308 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (208) 722-0217 | 1 | 0.4% |
| (214) 292-3312 | 1 | 0.4% |
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.
- (310) 202-1712 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.