FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 April 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1114 consumer complaints on 21 April 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1080 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 700 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1114
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (700)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (118)
Where the complaints came from
The 1114 complaints recorded on 21 April 2021 originated from 706 cities across 48 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 118 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 116 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 92 | 8.3% |
| New York | 66 | 5.9% |
| Georgia | 52 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 3.9% |
| Colorado | 35 | 3.1% |
| Washington | 34 | 3.1% |
| Virginia | 32 | 2.9% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 484 | 43.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 8 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 861 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 861 | 77.3% |
| Internet | 120 | 10.8% |
| TV | 72 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 28 | 2.5% |
| Broadband Story | 27 | 2.4% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
861 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 700 | 81.3% |
| Billing | 50 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 32 | 3.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 30 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
120 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 42 | 35.0% |
| Billing | 40 | 33.3% |
| Speed | 18 | 15.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 6.7% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 4.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 26.4% |
| Indecency | 15 | 20.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 19.4% |
| Availability | 12 | 16.7% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.4% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Indecency and Loud Commercials among the most common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 700 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 62.8% 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 | 15 | 2.1% |
| (213) 800-8007 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (303) 848-3038 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (404) 551-4691 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (405) 210-2326 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (478) 202-3692 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (501) 653-7938 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 221-3772 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 452-3000 | 1 | 0.1% |
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.