FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 May 2021
Introduction
On 5 May 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1142 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 1029 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 706 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1142
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (706)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (142)
Where the complaints came from
The 1142 complaints recorded on 5 May 2021 were submitted from 701 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 142 | 12.4% |
| Texas | 93 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 79 | 6.9% |
| North Carolina | 79 | 6.9% |
| New York | 65 | 5.7% |
| Massachusetts | 48 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 45 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 38 | 3.3% |
| Colorado | 37 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 475 | 41.6% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 887 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 887 | 77.7% |
| Internet | 143 | 12.5% |
| TV | 77 | 6.7% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.6% |
| Broadband Story | 14 | 1.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
887 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 706 | 79.6% |
| Billing | 76 | 8.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 29 | 3.3% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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
143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 46 | 32.2% |
| Availability | 42 | 29.4% |
| Speed | 33 | 23.1% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 10 | 7.0% |
| Privacy | 2 | 1.4% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 21 | 27.3% |
| Billing | 21 | 27.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 19.5% |
| Indecency | 14 | 18.2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.6% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing and Loud Commercials.
Unwanted calls
706 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 61.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (410) 315-3262 | 13 | 1.8% |
| (787) 306-9924 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (248) 918-3441 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (404) 275-8094 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (407) 351-3878 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (657) 474-9807 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (661) 481-9853 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (706) 489-5579 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (732) 776-9777 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 892-2253 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 14 | 2.0% |
| (866) 202-4955 | 13 | 1.8% |
| (787) 306-9924 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (218) 337-0130 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (248) 918-3441 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (646) 659-7259 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (657) 474-9807 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (773) 801-3775 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (786) 450-7286 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 354-1461 | 1 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (833) 304-1447 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (410) 315-3262 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.