FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 March 2021

Introduction

A total of 1344 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 15 March 2021, complaint volume increased from 368 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with no single location clearly ahead of the others. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 732 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1344
States & territories reporting
52
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (732)

Where the complaints came from

The 1344 complaints recorded on 15 March 2021 originated from 906 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. 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
California 123 9.2%
Florida 123 9.2%
Texas 116 8.6%
New York 81 6.0%
Virginia 61 4.5%
Michigan 50 3.7%
Ohio 49 3.6%
Pennsylvania 46 3.4%
Washington 44 3.3%
Massachusetts 43 3.2%
Other states and territories 607 45.2%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 904 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 904 67.3%
TV 293 21.8%
Internet 132 9.8%
Radio 10 0.7%
Accessibility 4 0.3%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

904 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 732 81.0%
Billing 69 7.6%
Availability (including rural call completion) 35 3.9%
Equipment 34 3.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 10 1.1%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 10 1.1%
Privacy 6 0.7%
Junk Faxes 4 0.4%
Interference (including signal jammers) 2 0.2%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 2 0.2%

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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

TV complaints

293 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Indecency 191 65.2%
Billing 43 14.7%
Availability 42 14.3%
Loud Commercials 12 4.1%
Interference 2 0.7%
Privacy 2 0.7%
Equipment 1 0.3%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Indecency and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Internet complaints

132 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 52 39.4%
Billing 43 32.6%
Speed 17 12.9%
Interference 11 8.3%
Equipment 7 5.3%
Privacy 2 1.5%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Unwanted calls

There were 732 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 54.5% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(833) 304-1447 10 1.4%
(315) 232-8257 4 0.5%
(202) 729-9939 2 0.3%
(267) 807-0511 2 0.3%
(346) 277-0011 2 0.3%
(509) 639-3024 2 0.3%
(619) 837-7663 2 0.3%
(719) 452-8970 2 0.3%
(833) 768-0242 2 0.3%
(845) 793-1055 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.
Page last updated: 16 March 2021 with FCC complaints data from 15 March 2021.

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.