FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 February 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1173 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 23 February 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1082 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 724 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1173
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (724)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (126)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1173 complaints were recorded on 23 February 2021, with reports originating from 749 cities in 50 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 126 | 10.7% |
| Texas | 92 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 91 | 7.8% |
| New York | 76 | 6.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | 46 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 44 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 42 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 38 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 35 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 521 | 44.4% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 79 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 902 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 902 | 76.9% |
| Internet | 157 | 13.4% |
| TV | 91 | 7.8% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
902 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 724 | 80.3% |
| Billing | 65 | 7.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 21 | 2.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.4% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
157 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 58 | 36.9% |
| Billing | 44 | 28.0% |
| Speed | 23 | 14.6% |
| Interference | 15 | 9.6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.1% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 37 | 40.7% |
| Availability | 22 | 24.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 14.3% |
| Indecency | 10 | 11.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 4.4% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 724 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 61.7% 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 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (239) 264-1508 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (208) 722-0225 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (714) 694-7603 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 895-2188 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (833) 235-1498 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 223-8053 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (876) 348-7378 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (905) 858-7210 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.