FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 April 2021
Introduction
On 19 April 2021, 914 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 313 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 539 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 914
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (539)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (89)
Where the complaints came from
On 19 April 2021, the 914 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 644 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 89 | 9.7% |
| Florida | 77 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 74 | 8.1% |
| New York | 69 | 7.5% |
| Virginia | 53 | 5.8% |
| Georgia | 40 | 4.4% |
| Colorado | 32 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 30 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 30 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 388 | 42.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 693 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 693 | 75.8% |
| Internet | 92 | 10.1% |
| TV | 77 | 8.4% |
| Emergency | 27 | 3.0% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.9% |
| Broadband Story | 7 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
693 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 539 | 77.8% |
| Billing | 45 | 6.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 33 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 20 | 2.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 13 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.9% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
92 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 31 | 33.7% |
| Billing | 19 | 20.7% |
| Speed | 18 | 19.6% |
| Equipment | 10 | 10.9% |
| Interference | 9 | 9.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 5.4% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 42.9% |
| Availability | 24 | 31.2% |
| Indecency | 10 | 13.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.6% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
A total of 539 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 59% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 9 | 1.7% |
| (205) 304-1614 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (714) 248-0980 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (970) 398-4783 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 315-4279 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 468-7898 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 468-8579 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 967-0215 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 289-0866 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 312-9125 | 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.