FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 May 2021
Introduction
On Monday, 17 May 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 967 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 279 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with Texas recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 549 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 967
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (549)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (118)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 17 May 2021 show 967 complaints originating from 631 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 118 | 12.2% |
| California | 115 | 11.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 70 | 7.2% |
| Florida | 68 | 7.0% |
| New York | 57 | 5.9% |
| North Carolina | 32 | 3.3% |
| Washington | 29 | 3.0% |
| Colorado | 28 | 2.9% |
| Massachusetts | 28 | 2.9% |
| Maryland | 27 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 393 | 40.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 728 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 728 | 75.3% |
| Internet | 137 | 14.2% |
| TV | 82 | 8.5% |
| Broadband Story | 8 | 0.8% |
| Radio | 8 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
728 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 549 | 75.4% |
| Billing | 63 | 8.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 39 | 5.4% |
| Equipment | 27 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 17 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 9 | 1.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
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
137 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 46 | 33.6% |
| Billing | 45 | 32.8% |
| Speed | 17 | 12.4% |
| Equipment | 13 | 9.5% |
| Interference | 8 | 5.8% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.8% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 30 | 36.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 22 | 26.8% |
| Availability | 16 | 19.5% |
| Indecency | 9 | 11.0% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.4% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.2% |
Billing and Loud Commercials were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
549 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 56.8% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (970) 441-5206 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (612) 351-4513 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (689) 223-5727 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 952-7955 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 230-0092 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 259-7202 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 291-4243 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 309-4813 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 504-3730 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 543-4270 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 6 | 1.1% |
| (970) 441-5206 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (351) 232-8257 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (610) 300-9235 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (610) 850-6798 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 201-8008 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 912-5382 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 259-7202 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 291-4243 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (833) 304-1447 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (970) 441-5206 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.