FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 May 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 951 consumer complaints on 28 May 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 1143 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 615 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 951
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (615)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (126)
Where the complaints came from
The 951 complaints recorded on 28 May 2021 originated from 606 cities across 51 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 126 | 13.2% |
| Florida | 94 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 66 | 6.9% |
| New York | 48 | 5.0% |
| Colorado | 41 | 4.3% |
| North Carolina | 39 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 31 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 30 | 3.2% |
| Illinois | 30 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 411 | 43.2% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 69 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 757 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 757 | 79.6% |
| Internet | 121 | 12.7% |
| TV | 57 | 6.0% |
| Radio | 9 | 0.9% |
| Broadband Story | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
757 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 615 | 81.2% |
| Billing | 47 | 6.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 35 | 4.6% |
| Equipment | 30 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
121 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 37.2% |
| Availability | 39 | 32.2% |
| Speed | 20 | 16.5% |
| Privacy | 7 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3.3% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 35.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 22.8% |
| Availability | 10 | 17.5% |
| Indecency | 5 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 4 | 7.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Loud Commercials and Availability among the most common.
Unwanted calls
A total of 615 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 64.7% 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) 463-1229 | 18 | 2.9% |
| (410) 214-9248 | 16 | 2.6% |
| (513) 696-1920 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (812) 704-5440 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (951) 467-2312 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 201-8620 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 318-4320 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 839-8421 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 318-9904 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 746-4091 | 1 | 0.2% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 202-4955 | 34 | 5.5% |
| (833) 304-1447 | 8 | 1.3% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 3 | 0.5% |
| (347) 601-9737 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (201) 201-8620 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 265-9726 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 318-4320 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 839-8421 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 318-9904 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 746-4091 | 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) 463-1229 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.