FCC Consumer Complaints – 2 April 2021
Introduction
On Friday, 2 April 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 938 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1154 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 171 complaints. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 588 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 938
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (588)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (171)
Where the complaints came from
The 938 complaints recorded on 2 April 2021 were submitted from 626 cities across 53 states and territories. Compared with most days, complaint activity was more concentrated, with California contributing the largest share of complaints. While complaints were reported across multiple cities, no individual location accounted for a significant 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 | 171 | 18.2% |
| Texas | 84 | 9.0% |
| Florida | 66 | 7.0% |
| New York | 50 | 5.3% |
| Georgia | 29 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 29 | 3.1% |
| Iowa | 28 | 3.0% |
| Maryland | 28 | 3.0% |
| New Jersey | 28 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 28 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 397 | 42.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 8 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 724 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 724 | 77.2% |
| Internet | 128 | 13.6% |
| TV | 66 | 7.0% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.2% |
| Broadband Story | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
724 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 588 | 81.2% |
| Billing | 50 | 6.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
128 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 50 | 39.1% |
| Billing | 46 | 35.9% |
| Speed | 16 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.5% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 30.3% |
| Availability | 18 | 27.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 17 | 25.8% |
| Indecency | 5 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 4 | 6.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
Unwanted calls
There were 588 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 62.7% 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 | 2.0% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (563) 242-2732 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (870) 646-1280 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 904-8411 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 858-5687 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 984-1036 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 202-0992 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 272-2118 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 338-3318 | 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.