FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 May 2021

Introduction

A total of 1168 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 26 May 2021, this represented an increase from the 1112 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 755 complaints.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1168
States & territories reporting
53
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (755)
Most reported state/territory
California (129)

Where the complaints came from

The 1168 complaints recorded on 26 May 2021 originated from 771 cities across 53 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 129 11.0%
Florida 118 10.1%
Texas 79 6.8%
New York 56 4.8%
Ohio 48 4.1%
Pennsylvania 47 4.0%
Virginia 45 3.9%
Georgia 44 3.8%
Kentucky 41 3.5%
North Carolina 40 3.4%
Other states and territories 517 44.3%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 931 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 931 79.7%
Internet 144 12.3%
TV 66 5.7%
Radio 12 1.0%
Broadband Story 9 0.8%
Accessibility 4 0.3%
Emergency 2 0.2%

Phone complaints

931 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 755 81.1%
Billing 64 6.9%
Availability (including rural call completion) 39 4.2%
Equipment 25 2.7%
Privacy 17 1.8%
Junk Faxes 12 1.3%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 9 1.0%
Interference (including signal jammers) 6 0.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 3 0.3%
Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) 1 0.1%

As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided 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

144 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.3% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Availability 64 44.4%
Billing 43 29.9%
Speed 17 11.8%
Privacy 10 6.9%
Equipment 5 3.5%
Interference 5 3.5%

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 5.7% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 21 31.8%
Availability 18 27.3%
Loud Commercials 17 25.8%
Equipment 4 6.1%
Indecency 4 6.1%
Interference 2 3.0%

The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.

Unwanted calls

755 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 64.6% 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
(386) 518-2856 6 0.8%
(877) 864-4566 3 0.4%
(908) 940-6043 3 0.4%
(404) 276-0735 2 0.3%
(406) 632-4351 2 0.3%
(562) 696-7265 2 0.3%
(689) 207-8039 2 0.3%
(833) 372-7537 2 0.3%
(202) 843-1329 1 0.1%
(202) 977-2430 1 0.1%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(833) 304-1447 9 1.2%
(866) 202-4955 6 0.8%
(315) 232-8257 3 0.4%
(908) 940-6043 3 0.4%
(323) 489-6040 2 0.3%
(555) 555-5555 2 0.3%
(740) 637-0054 2 0.3%
(833) 582-1664 2 0.3%
(877) 287-1090 2 0.3%
(888) 627-0341 2 0.3%

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.
  • (386) 518-2856 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
Page last updated: 27 May 2021 with FCC complaints data from 26 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.