FCC Consumer Complaints – 7 May 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 1044 consumer complaints on Friday, 7 May 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1142 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 671 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1044
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (671)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (132)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1044 complaints were recorded on 7 May 2021, with reports originating from 674 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 132 | 12.6% |
| Texas | 87 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 79 | 7.6% |
| North Carolina | 72 | 6.9% |
| New York | 61 | 5.8% |
| South Carolina | 41 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 38 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 37 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 33 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 32 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 432 | 41.4% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 8 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 821 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 821 | 78.6% |
| Internet | 132 | 12.6% |
| TV | 67 | 6.4% |
| Broadband Story | 10 | 1.0% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
821 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 671 | 81.7% |
| Billing | 55 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 18 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
132 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 41 | 31.1% |
| Billing | 37 | 28.0% |
| Speed | 23 | 17.4% |
| Interference | 13 | 9.8% |
| Privacy | 11 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.3% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability, Billing and Speed.
TV complaints
67 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 33 | 49.3% |
| Availability | 16 | 23.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 13.4% |
| Indecency | 6 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 671 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 64.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (843) 390-5035 | 8 | 1.2% |
| (310) 929-2136 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (661) 382-1519 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (702) 701-6503 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (708) 613-1241 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 283-9852 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 395-0138 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 410-8299 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 877-1276 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 321-5969 | 1 | 0.1% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 19 | 2.8% |
| (843) 390-5035 | 8 | 1.2% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (201) 283-9852 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (201) 581-2281 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 640-2825 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 796-9050 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 852-8511 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 900-6649 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 963-7831 | 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.
- (843) 390-5035 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.