FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 March 2021
Introduction
On 26 March 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1163 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1185 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 782 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1163
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (782)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (190)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 26 March 2021 show 1163 complaints originating from 749 cities across 51 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 | 190 | 16.3% |
| Texas | 100 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 92 | 7.9% |
| New York | 56 | 4.8% |
| Virginia | 43 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 36 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 35 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 31 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 500 | 43.0% |
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 943 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 943 | 81.1% |
| Internet | 125 | 10.7% |
| TV | 75 | 6.4% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.1% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
943 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 782 | 82.9% |
| Billing | 52 | 5.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 1.9% |
| Equipment | 16 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 12 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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 Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 39 | 31.2% |
| Billing | 39 | 31.2% |
| Speed | 20 | 16.0% |
| Interference | 13 | 10.4% |
| Privacy | 9 | 7.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.0% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 34.7% |
| Availability | 24 | 32.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 13.3% |
| Indecency | 6 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 782 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 67.2% 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 | 1.3% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 5 | 0.6% |
| (209) 957-8615 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (210) 948-0571 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (267) 996-2087 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (602) 412-1649 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (609) 210-0024 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (708) 621-4860 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 220-5578 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (951) 228-7984 | 2 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls 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.