FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 March 2021
Introduction
On 25 March 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1185 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1358 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 765 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1185
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (765)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (191)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1185 complaints were recorded on 25 March 2021, with reports originating from 804 cities in 53 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 191 | 16.1% |
| Florida | 97 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 97 | 8.2% |
| New York | 65 | 5.5% |
| Georgia | 45 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 41 | 3.5% |
| Arizona | 36 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 2.9% |
| Washington | 34 | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 33 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 510 | 43.0% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 928 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 928 | 78.3% |
| Internet | 161 | 13.6% |
| TV | 77 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 11 | 0.9% |
| Broadband Story | 5 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
928 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 765 | 82.4% |
| Billing | 48 | 5.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 40 | 4.3% |
| Equipment | 29 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.4% |
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
161 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 72 | 44.7% |
| Billing | 32 | 19.9% |
| Speed | 27 | 16.8% |
| Interference | 16 | 9.9% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 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
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 39.0% |
| Availability | 26 | 33.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.5% |
| Indecency | 5 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 765 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 64.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 8 | 1.0% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 6 | 0.8% |
| (313) 336-1080 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (480) 674-2200 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 670-1286 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (916) 561-8200 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (954) 869-8612 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 224-7220 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 468-8576 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 845-7182 | 1 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (315) 232-8257 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.