FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 May 2021
Introduction
A total of 927 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 3 May 2021, this represented an increase from the 300 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with Texas recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 538 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 927
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (538)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (93)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 927 complaints were recorded on 3 May 2021, with reports originating from 634 cities in 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 shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 93 | 10.0% |
| California | 92 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 76 | 8.2% |
| New York | 62 | 6.7% |
| Ohio | 51 | 5.5% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 28 | 3.0% |
| Georgia | 27 | 2.9% |
| Maryland | 26 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 398 | 42.9% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 67 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 694 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 694 | 74.9% |
| Internet | 127 | 13.7% |
| TV | 74 | 8.0% |
| Broadband Story | 14 | 1.5% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
694 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 538 | 77.5% |
| Billing | 63 | 9.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 3.7% |
| Equipment | 25 | 3.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 10 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
127 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 41 | 32.3% |
| Availability | 34 | 26.8% |
| Speed | 29 | 22.8% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
74 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 32 | 43.2% |
| Availability | 19 | 25.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 14.9% |
| Indecency | 8 | 10.8% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.7% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
538 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 58% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (559) 471-1085 | 15 | 2.8% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 730-9541 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 888-5003 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 496-7989 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 587-9000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 273-8336 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (207) 203-4089 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (207) 438-4891 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (208) 510-9217 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 202-4955 | 14 | 2.6% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 7 | 1.3% |
| (205) 395-3610 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (719) 452-8970 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (754) 200-2299 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 468-8579 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 746-4382 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 888-5003 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 587-9000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 273-8336 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (866) 202-4955 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (559) 471-1085 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.