FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 May 2021
Introduction
On Thursday, 27 May 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1143 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1168 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 758 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1143
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (758)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (130)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1143 complaints were recorded on 27 May 2021, with reports originating from 723 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 130 | 11.4% |
| Florida | 106 | 9.3% |
| Texas | 98 | 8.6% |
| New York | 72 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | 45 | 3.9% |
| Colorado | 44 | 3.8% |
| Ohio | 43 | 3.8% |
| Arizona | 42 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 41 | 3.6% |
| Massachusetts | 35 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 483 | 42.3% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 88 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 936 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 936 | 81.9% |
| Internet | 140 | 12.2% |
| TV | 48 | 4.2% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.0% |
| Broadband Story | 4 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
936 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 81.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 758 | 81.0% |
| Billing | 48 | 5.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 37 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 31 | 3.3% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 11 | 1.2% |
| 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
140 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 55 | 39.3% |
| Billing | 52 | 37.1% |
| Speed | 13 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 10 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.9% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
48 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 37.5% |
| Availability | 12 | 25.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 14.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.3% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 3 | 6.3% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
There were 758 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 66.3% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (478) 910-6517 | 25 | 3.3% |
| (201) 708-8519 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 539-4516 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 899-1335 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (202) 979-9165 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (203) 442-5566 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (203) 516-0273 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (205) 584-0167 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (205) 947-0039 | 1 | 0.1% |
| (205) 947-0178 | 1 | 0.1% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 202-4955 | 24 | 3.2% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 9 | 1.2% |
| (229) 331-7127 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (951) 453-9816 | 3 | 0.4% |
| (209) 357-9288 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (510) 288-2141 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (800) 891-7628 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (828) 388-8393 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (844) 877-0123 | 2 | 0.3% |
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.
- (478) 910-6517 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.