FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 May 2021
Introduction
On Friday, 21 May 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 969 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1025 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 608 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 969
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (608)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (106)
Where the complaints came from
Across 640 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 969 complaints were recorded on 21 May 2021. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 106 | 10.9% |
| Florida | 101 | 10.4% |
| Texas | 90 | 9.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 4.3% |
| New York | 41 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.2% |
| Washington | 30 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 29 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 29 | 3.0% |
| Maryland | 28 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 432 | 44.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 81 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 5 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 747 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 747 | 77.1% |
| Internet | 128 | 13.2% |
| TV | 66 | 6.8% |
| Radio | 15 | 1.5% |
| Broadband Story | 13 | 1.3% |
Phone complaints
747 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 608 | 81.4% |
| Billing | 42 | 5.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 37 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 16 | 2.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.5% |
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
128 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 48 | 37.5% |
| Billing | 43 | 33.6% |
| Speed | 22 | 17.2% |
| Equipment | 7 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 3.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 2.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
66 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 19 | 28.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 15 | 22.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 9.1% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
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 608 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 62.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (559) 531-7264 | 17 | 2.8% |
| (410) 645-6049 | 16 | 2.6% |
| (516) 992-4639 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (478) 910-6039 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (559) 561-7264 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (876) 512-9041 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 894-3000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 291-3036 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 480-9964 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 896-5240 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 202-4955 | 35 | 5.8% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 8 | 1.3% |
| (817) 476-4102 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (876) 512-9041 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (908) 446-0032 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 480-9964 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 896-5240 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 267-0208 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (205) 858-9108 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (207) 489-6493 | 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.
- (559) 531-7264 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.