FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 May 2021
Introduction
A total of 1054 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, complaint volume fell from 1057 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 625 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1054
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (625)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (101)
Where the complaints came from
Across 707 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 1054 complaints were recorded on 12 May 2021. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 101 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 92 | 8.7% |
| Texas | 87 | 8.3% |
| North Carolina | 84 | 8.0% |
| New York | 67 | 6.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 3.5% |
| South Carolina | 37 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 36 | 3.4% |
| Washington | 34 | 3.2% |
| Colorado | 28 | 2.7% |
| Other states and territories | 451 | 42.8% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 813 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 813 | 77.1% |
| Internet | 139 | 13.2% |
| TV | 72 | 6.8% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 8 | 0.8% |
| Broadband Story | 7 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
813 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 625 | 76.9% |
| Billing | 62 | 7.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 41 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 32 | 3.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
139 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 52 | 37.4% |
| Availability | 45 | 32.4% |
| Speed | 20 | 14.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 7 | 5.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 5.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 35 | 48.6% |
| Availability | 16 | 22.2% |
| Indecency | 8 | 11.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.2% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 625 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 59.3% 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 business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 12 | 1.9% |
| (240) 203-6464 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (330) 521-2562 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (754) 206-0837 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 204-0098 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 430-6276 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (208) 675-7457 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (208) 906-0780 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (213) 542-0312 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (213) 952-7304 | 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.