FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 February 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 361 consumer complaints on 28 February 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 453 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 41 states and territories, with Virginia reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 169 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 361
- States & territories reporting
- 41
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (169)
- Most reported state/territory
- Virginia (48)
Where the complaints came from
On 28 February 2021, the 361 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 259 cities across 41 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Virginia, where Bristow accounted for 40 of the 48 complaints recorded in the state.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 48 | 13.3% |
| California | 37 | 10.2% |
| Florida | 25 | 6.9% |
| Texas | 23 | 6.4% |
| New York | 18 | 5.0% |
| Maryland | 16 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 15 | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 12 | 3.3% |
| Michigan | 12 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 141 | 39.1% |
Location highlights
- Complaints in Virginia were heavily concentrated in Bristow, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
- Complaints in California were reported across 31 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 231 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 231 | 64.0% |
| Internet | 73 | 20.2% |
| TV | 50 | 13.9% |
| Radio | 4 | 1.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
231 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 169 | 73.2% |
| Billing | 22 | 9.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 6 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.9% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
73 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 42.5% |
| Availability | 15 | 20.5% |
| Speed | 12 | 16.4% |
| Interference | 8 | 11.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 3 | 4.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 19 | 38.0% |
| Availability | 15 | 30.0% |
| Billing | 12 | 24.0% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.0% |
| Indecency | 1 | 2.0% |
Loud Commercials and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
169 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 46.8% 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 | 8 | 4.7% |
| (503) 743-0648 | 2 | 1.2% |
| (205) 831-0978 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (205) 898-8143 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (231) 216-7780 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (262) 676-8523 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (301) 329-1674 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (315) 235-8257 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (318) 314-8666 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (414) 250-8173 | 1 | 0.6% |
Key patterns
- Text Message 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.