FCC Consumer Complaints – 25 May 2021
Introduction
On 25 May 2021, 1112 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume increased from 892 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 699 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1112
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (699)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (128)
Where the complaints came from
Across 721 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 1112 complaints were recorded on 25 May 2021. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 128 | 11.5% |
| Florida | 105 | 9.4% |
| Texas | 105 | 9.4% |
| New York | 58 | 5.2% |
| Georgia | 43 | 3.9% |
| Colorado | 40 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 39 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 37 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 36 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 482 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 873 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 873 | 78.5% |
| Internet | 148 | 13.3% |
| TV | 72 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.1% |
| Broadband Story | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
873 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 699 | 80.1% |
| Billing | 54 | 6.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 43 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 22 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 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
148 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 56 | 37.8% |
| Billing | 50 | 33.8% |
| Speed | 17 | 11.5% |
| Interference | 16 | 10.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 1.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
72 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 33.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 17 | 23.6% |
| Availability | 14 | 19.4% |
| Indecency | 9 | 12.5% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 2.8% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability.
Unwanted calls
699 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 62.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (559) 694-9604 | 15 | 2.1% |
| (571) 321-7238 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (708) 439-4101 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (833) 477-1508 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 669-3185 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 540-9146 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (208) 268-8389 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (208) 460-8680 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (208) 461-6461 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (209) 554-7537 | 1 | 0.1% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 202-4955 | 15 | 2.1% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 12 | 1.7% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.6% |
| (833) 477-1508 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (855) 669-3185 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (908) 446-0032 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 242-3000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 540-9146 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (206) 415-9125 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (206) 922-0880 | 1 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (866) 202-4955 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (559) 694-9604 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.