FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 May 2021
Introduction
On 4 May 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1029 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 927 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 582 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1029
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (582)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (126)
Where the complaints came from
Across 699 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 1029 complaints were recorded on 4 May 2021. 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 distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 126 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 94 | 9.1% |
| Florida | 89 | 8.6% |
| New York | 56 | 5.4% |
| North Carolina | 48 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 41 | 4.0% |
| Virginia | 36 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 31 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 31 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 434 | 42.2% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 8 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 771 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 771 | 74.9% |
| Internet | 149 | 14.5% |
| TV | 69 | 6.7% |
| Broadband Story | 17 | 1.7% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 6 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
771 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 582 | 75.5% |
| Billing | 76 | 9.9% |
| Equipment | 38 | 4.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 31 | 4.0% |
| Privacy | 16 | 2.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
| 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, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 59 | 39.6% |
| Billing | 39 | 26.2% |
| Speed | 25 | 16.8% |
| Interference | 11 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.4% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.7% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
69 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 42.0% |
| Availability | 13 | 18.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 15.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.7% |
| Indecency | 6 | 8.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
582 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 56.6% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 12 | 2.1% |
| (781) 575-2000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (787) 220-6629 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (856) 473-1345 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 680-2435 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 782-6237 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 221-3772 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 899-1338 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 978-9967 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 322-3374 | 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.