FCC Consumer Complaints – 24 March 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1358 consumer complaints on 24 March 2021 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 1270 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 794 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1358
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (794)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (185)
Where the complaints came from
Across 879 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1358 complaints were recorded on 24 March 2021. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 185 | 13.6% |
| Texas | 94 | 6.9% |
| Florida | 74 | 5.4% |
| New York | 70 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 64 | 4.7% |
| North Carolina | 53 | 3.9% |
| Georgia | 48 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 46 | 3.4% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 41 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 637 | 46.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1001 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1001 | 73.7% |
| Internet | 249 | 18.3% |
| TV | 79 | 5.8% |
| Broadband Story | 12 | 0.9% |
| Radio | 11 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1001 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 794 | 79.3% |
| Billing | 76 | 7.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 41 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 18 | 1.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
249 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 18.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 133 | 53.4% |
| Speed | 51 | 20.5% |
| Billing | 42 | 16.9% |
| Interference | 10 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 2.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Speed, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
79 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 31.6% |
| Indecency | 19 | 24.1% |
| Availability | 17 | 21.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 16.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.5% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Indecency and Availability among the most common.
Unwanted calls
There were 794 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 58.5% 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 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (205) 561-3772 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (304) 467-8740 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (360) 205-9105 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (407) 594-5496 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (567) 205-3523 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (603) 836-0002 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (603) 836-0451 | 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.