FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 March 2021
Introduction
A total of 305 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 28 March 2021, this represented a decline from the 420 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 135 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 305
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (135)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (34)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 305 complaints were recorded on 28 March 2021, with reports originating from 240 cities in 45 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 34 | 11.1% |
| New York | 24 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 22 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 20 | 6.6% |
| North Carolina | 17 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | 4.9% |
| Illinois | 10 | 3.3% |
| Alabama | 9 | 3.0% |
| Massachusetts | 9 | 3.0% |
| New Jersey | 9 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 136 | 44.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 31 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 198 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 198 | 64.9% |
| Internet | 66 | 21.6% |
| TV | 32 | 10.5% |
| Radio | 6 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
198 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 135 | 68.2% |
| Billing | 27 | 13.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 9 | 4.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 1.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.5% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) among the most common.
Internet complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 28 | 42.4% |
| Billing | 16 | 24.2% |
| Privacy | 6 | 9.1% |
| Speed | 6 | 9.1% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.6% |
| Interference | 5 | 7.6% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
32 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 13 | 40.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 28.1% |
| Billing | 5 | 15.6% |
| Indecency | 4 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.1% |
Availability and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 135 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 44.3% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (315) 232-8257 | 5 | 3.7% |
| (202) 963-6310 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (205) 686-1295 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (205) 975-1881 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (209) 549-6956 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (212) 987-6277 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (214) 478-9952 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (239) 477-1000 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (301) 314-9500 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (303) 995-8324 | 1 | 0.7% |
Key patterns
- Unwanted call complaints were spread across multiple call types with similar counts.
- (315) 232-8257 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.