FCC Consumer Complaints – 6 May 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1142 consumer complaints on 6 May 2021 relating to telecommunications services. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 216 complaints. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 744 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1142
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (744)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (216)
Where the complaints came from
The 1142 complaints recorded on 6 May 2021 were submitted from 680 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaints were less evenly distributed than usual, with California accounting for the highest proportion of reports. At the city level, complaints were spread across locations, with no single city representing a significant proportion 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 | 216 | 18.9% |
| Texas | 107 | 9.4% |
| North Carolina | 83 | 7.3% |
| Florida | 75 | 6.6% |
| New York | 68 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 3.3% |
| Colorado | 35 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 32 | 2.8% |
| Ohio | 30 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 421 | 36.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 81 different cities.
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 917 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 917 | 80.3% |
| Internet | 115 | 10.1% |
| TV | 68 | 6.0% |
| Broadband Story | 20 | 1.8% |
| Radio | 19 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
917 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 744 | 81.1% |
| Billing | 52 | 5.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 35 | 3.8% |
| Equipment | 32 | 3.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.8% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.2% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Junk Faxes and Equipment.
Internet complaints
115 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 34 | 29.6% |
| Billing | 33 | 28.7% |
| Speed | 21 | 18.3% |
| Equipment | 11 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 11 | 9.6% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 29.4% |
| Indecency | 17 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 15 | 22.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Indecency and Availability.
Unwanted calls
There were 744 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 65.1% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (310) 929-2136 | 5 | 0.7% |
| (347) 719-2706 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 934-0128 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (626) 387-4897 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (661) 259-1320 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (661) 263-7060 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (661) 288-1639 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (661) 347-9864 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (661) 367-7361 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (661) 615-9097 | 2 | 0.3% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 13 | 1.7% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (502) 444-2963 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (786) 481-1193 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (877) 287-1090 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 355-4891 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 649-6219 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 685-8112 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 778-4532 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 778-4762 | 1 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (833) 304-1447 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (310) 929-2136 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.