FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 March 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1136 consumer complaints on 12 March 2021 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1128 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with Florida reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 752 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1136
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (752)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (126)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 12 March 2021 show 1136 complaints originating from 714 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 126 | 11.1% |
| California | 124 | 10.9% |
| Texas | 113 | 9.9% |
| New York | 61 | 5.4% |
| Colorado | 50 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 34 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 33 | 2.9% |
| Georgia | 32 | 2.8% |
| Virginia | 32 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 484 | 42.6% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 937 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 937 | 82.5% |
| Internet | 107 | 9.4% |
| TV | 70 | 6.2% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
937 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 82.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 752 | 80.3% |
| Billing | 66 | 7.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 52 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 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
107 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 41 | 38.3% |
| Billing | 31 | 29.0% |
| Interference | 12 | 11.2% |
| Speed | 11 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
70 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 37.1% |
| Availability | 20 | 28.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 17.1% |
| Indecency | 7 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
752 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 66.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (208) 932-2752 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (281) 220-6231 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 204-9476 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (720) 248-9500 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (732) 936-5247 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (803) 663-8831 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (845) 208-4437 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (833) 304-1447 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.