FCC Consumer Complaints – 22 March 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1085 consumer complaints on Monday, 22 March 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 355 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 661 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1085
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (661)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (123)
Where the complaints came from
On 22 March 2021, the 1085 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 723 cities across 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 11.3% |
| Texas | 120 | 11.1% |
| Florida | 77 | 7.1% |
| New York | 71 | 6.5% |
| Ohio | 45 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 35 | 3.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | 3.0% |
| Arizona | 30 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 468 | 43.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 840 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 840 | 77.4% |
| Internet | 134 | 12.4% |
| TV | 91 | 8.4% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
840 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 661 | 78.7% |
| Billing | 68 | 8.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 38 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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.
Internet complaints
134 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 46 | 34.3% |
| Billing | 43 | 32.1% |
| Interference | 14 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 13 | 9.7% |
| Speed | 13 | 9.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 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
91 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 34.1% |
| Indecency | 24 | 26.4% |
| Availability | 23 | 25.3% |
| Equipment | 6 | 6.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 6.6% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 661 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 60.9% 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 | 12 | 1.8% |
| (866) 475-1720 | 5 | 0.8% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (321) 406-2481 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (423) 231-7596 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (631) 690-7637 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (682) 243-4430 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 217-9877 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 532-7878 | 1 | 0.2% |
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.