FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 July 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 864 consumer complaints on Monday, 19 July 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 272 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 482 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 864
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (482)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (94)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 864 complaints were recorded on 19 July 2021, with reports originating from 611 cities in 51 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. 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 | 94 | 10.9% |
| Texas | 78 | 9.0% |
| New York | 63 | 7.3% |
| Florida | 57 | 6.6% |
| Georgia | 43 | 5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 4.3% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 33 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 30 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 28 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 365 | 42.2% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 64 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 639 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 639 | 74.0% |
| Internet | 129 | 14.9% |
| TV | 82 | 9.5% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
639 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 482 | 75.4% |
| Billing | 52 | 8.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 47 | 7.4% |
| Equipment | 26 | 4.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 1 | 0.2% |
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
129 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 53 | 41.1% |
| Billing | 44 | 34.1% |
| Speed | 12 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 10 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.1% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
82 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 31.7% |
| Availability | 20 | 24.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 19.5% |
| Equipment | 10 | 12.2% |
| Indecency | 7 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.7% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
Unwanted calls
482 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 55.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (702) 479-1486 | 7 | 1.5% |
| (817) 409-7505 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (909) 297-1837 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 609-1560 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 788-5269 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 350-8651 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 433-7014 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 593-2078 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (208) 738-9392 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (210) 436-8315 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- All unwanted call complaints with a recorded service type related to None.
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Reports were spread across many different business contact numbers, with no single number dominating.
- (702) 479-1486 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.