FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 May 2021
Introduction
On 13 May 2021, 947 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was lower than the 1054 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 548 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 947
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (548)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (121)
Where the complaints came from
On 13 May 2021, the 947 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 644 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Colorado, where Louisville accounted for 18 of the 30 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 121 | 12.8% |
| Florida | 100 | 10.6% |
| Texas | 88 | 9.3% |
| New York | 55 | 5.8% |
| North Carolina | 43 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 36 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 32 | 3.4% |
| Colorado | 30 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 30 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 374 | 39.5% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in Colorado originated from Louisville, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 702 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 702 | 74.1% |
| Internet | 149 | 15.7% |
| TV | 66 | 7.0% |
| Radio | 13 | 1.4% |
| Broadband Story | 11 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
702 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 548 | 78.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 45 | 6.4% |
| Billing | 44 | 6.3% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 12 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.3% |
| 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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
149 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 64 | 43.0% |
| Billing | 48 | 32.2% |
| Speed | 15 | 10.1% |
| Interference | 11 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 5 | 3.4% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 39.4% |
| Availability | 14 | 21.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 19.7% |
| Indecency | 8 | 12.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.0% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 548 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 57.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (559) 422-1261 | 14 | 2.6% |
| (303) 437-1052 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (720) 902-7215 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 594-6508 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 904-8258 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 677-3230 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 949-6164 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 998-1007 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 248-5053 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 263-8812 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 14 | 2.6% |
| (866) 202-4955 | 14 | 2.6% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (720) 615-6834 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (720) 902-7215 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 204-0098 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 904-8258 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 732-5086 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 291-4243 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 385-7767 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- (559) 422-1261 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.