FCC Consumer Complaints – 15 May 2021
Introduction
On 15 May 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 333 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 875 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 45 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 154 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 333
- States & territories reporting
- 45
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (154)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (44)
Where the complaints came from
The 333 complaints recorded on 15 May 2021 originated from 261 cities across 45 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 44 | 13.2% |
| Texas | 32 | 9.6% |
| Florida | 29 | 8.7% |
| New York | 17 | 5.1% |
| Illinois | 16 | 4.8% |
| Georgia | 15 | 4.5% |
| North Carolina | 13 | 3.9% |
| Colorado | 12 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 12 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 11 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 132 | 39.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 222 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 222 | 66.7% |
| Internet | 67 | 20.1% |
| TV | 35 | 10.5% |
| Radio | 5 | 1.5% |
| Broadband Story | 3 | 0.9% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
222 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 154 | 69.4% |
| Billing | 32 | 14.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 13 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 9 | 4.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 4 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 2 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 0.9% |
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
67 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 29 | 43.3% |
| Billing | 22 | 32.8% |
| Speed | 6 | 9.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 6.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
35 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 10.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 11 | 31.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 31.4% |
| Availability | 7 | 20.0% |
| Indecency | 5 | 14.3% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 154 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 46.2% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 7 | 4.5% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 2 | 1.3% |
| (510) 630-1622 | 2 | 1.3% |
| (877) 914-5137 | 2 | 1.3% |
| (203) 635-8900 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (215) 298-4994 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (256) 399-0952 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (305) 422-4806 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (307) 204-7715 | 1 | 0.6% |
| (309) 777-1196 | 1 | 0.6% |
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.
- 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.