FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 May 2021
Introduction
On Thursday, 20 May 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1025 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1088 complaints the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with Florida recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 628 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1025
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (628)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (98)
Where the complaints came from
The 1025 complaints recorded on 20 May 2021 were submitted from 667 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were spread broadly across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a significant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 98 | 9.6% |
| Texas | 93 | 9.1% |
| California | 90 | 8.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 5.1% |
| New York | 48 | 4.7% |
| New Jersey | 40 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 38 | 3.7% |
| Wisconsin | 37 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 33 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 462 | 45.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 5 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 794 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 794 | 77.5% |
| Internet | 145 | 14.1% |
| TV | 75 | 7.3% |
| Radio | 7 | 0.7% |
| Broadband Story | 4 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
794 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 628 | 79.1% |
| Billing | 52 | 6.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 37 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 26 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
145 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 60 | 41.4% |
| Availability | 40 | 27.6% |
| Speed | 21 | 14.5% |
| Interference | 12 | 8.3% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.8% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 21 | 28.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 19 | 25.3% |
| Billing | 18 | 24.0% |
| Indecency | 7 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 5 | 6.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Loud Commercials and Billing.
Unwanted calls
A total of 628 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 61.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (410) 645-6029 | 15 | 2.4% |
| (201) 265-2286 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 770-1292 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 221-3772 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 780-0291 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 422-7700 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 627-8237 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 760-1224 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 948-9344 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 209-1079 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 202-4955 | 13 | 2.1% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (410) 645-6029 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (941) 281-3064 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 770-1292 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 221-3772 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 780-0291 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 512-7863 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (866) 202-4955 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (410) 645-6029 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.