FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 February 2021
Introduction
On 22 February 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1082 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 386 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 663 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1082
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (663)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (123)
Where the complaints came from
The 1082 complaints recorded on 22 February 2021 were submitted from 677 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Virginia, where Bristow accounted for 60 of the 95 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 123 | 11.4% |
| Virginia | 95 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 93 | 8.6% |
| New York | 63 | 5.8% |
| Florida | 62 | 5.7% |
| New Jersey | 56 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 35 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 33 | 3.0% |
| Illinois | 32 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 448 | 41.4% |
Location highlight
Bristow accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Virginia.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 828 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 828 | 76.5% |
| Internet | 154 | 14.2% |
| TV | 75 | 6.9% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.7% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.6% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
828 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 663 | 80.1% |
| Billing | 60 | 7.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 37 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.5% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
154 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 61 | 39.6% |
| Billing | 41 | 26.6% |
| Speed | 24 | 15.6% |
| Interference | 19 | 12.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 3.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 1.9% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 39 | 52.0% |
| Availability | 17 | 22.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 14.7% |
| Indecency | 4 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
663 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 61.3% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 9 | 1.4% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (844) 989-1708 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (999) 999-9999 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (202) 964-9536 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (603) 255-5886 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (757) 584-3517 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 600-6150 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 907-1522 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 363-1781 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice 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.