FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 May 2021

Introduction

A total of 1088 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 19 May 2021, complaint volume increased from 1015 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with Florida slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 697 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1088
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (697)
Most reported state/territory
Florida (131)

Where the complaints came from

On 19 May 2021, the 1088 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 704 cities across 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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
Florida 131 12.0%
California 95 8.7%
Texas 93 8.5%
Pennsylvania 58 5.3%
New York 52 4.8%
Wisconsin 38 3.5%
North Carolina 35 3.2%
Arizona 34 3.1%
Georgia 34 3.1%
Maryland 34 3.1%
Other states and territories 482 44.3%

What the complaints were about

The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 850 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 850 78.1%
Internet 156 14.3%
TV 53 4.9%
Radio 11 1.0%
Broadband Story 9 0.8%
Emergency 7 0.6%
Accessibility 2 0.2%

Phone complaints

850 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 697 82.0%
Billing 47 5.5%
Availability (including rural call completion) 38 4.5%
Equipment 24 2.8%
Junk Faxes 13 1.5%
Privacy 11 1.3%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 9 1.1%
Interference (including signal jammers) 7 0.8%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 3 0.4%
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.

Internet complaints

156 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 54 34.6%
Availability 51 32.7%
Speed 22 14.1%
Equipment 13 8.3%
Interference 10 6.4%
Privacy 6 3.8%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

TV complaints

53 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.9% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 23 43.4%
Availability 13 24.5%
Loud Commercials 8 15.1%
Indecency 7 13.2%
Equipment 1 1.9%
Privacy 1 1.9%

The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.

Unwanted calls

A total of 697 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 64.1% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.

Most reported caller ID numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(609) 710-9860 32 4.6%
(559) 471-1088 16 2.3%
(410) 645-6029 8 1.1%
(202) 921-1491 2 0.3%
(303) 529-3075 2 0.3%
(332) 240-3234 2 0.3%
(713) 742-2020 2 0.3%
(772) 337-6470 2 0.3%
(866) 961-9399 2 0.3%
(951) 498-3753 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(866) 204-4885 33 4.7%
(866) 202-4955 26 3.7%
(833) 304-1447 8 1.1%
(315) 232-8257 4 0.6%
(202) 921-1491 2 0.3%
(332) 240-3234 2 0.3%
(772) 337-6470 2 0.3%
(800) 374-9861 2 0.3%
(877) 864-4566 2 0.3%
(951) 453-9816 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (866) 204-4885 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
  • (609) 710-9860 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 20 May 2021 with FCC complaints data from 19 May 2021.

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.