FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 August 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 912 consumer complaints on Tuesday, 3 August 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 859 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 453 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 912
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (453)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (117)
Where the complaints came from
The 912 complaints recorded on 3 August 2021 originated from 617 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Indiana, where Fort Wayne accounted for 21 of the 34 complaints recorded.
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 | 117 | 12.8% |
| Florida | 75 | 8.2% |
| New York | 58 | 6.4% |
| Texas | 56 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.9% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.8% |
| Indiana | 34 | 3.7% |
| North Carolina | 30 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 29 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 401 | 44.0% |
Location highlights
- A large share of complaints in Indiana originated from Fort Wayne, which accounted for most reports within the state.
- California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 82 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 682 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 682 | 74.8% |
| Internet | 147 | 16.1% |
| TV | 59 | 6.5% |
| Radio | 18 | 2.0% |
| Broadband Story | 5 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
682 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 453 | 66.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 67 | 9.8% |
| Billing | 59 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 37 | 5.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 2.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 15 | 2.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.0% |
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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 40.1% |
| Availability | 52 | 35.4% |
| Speed | 15 | 10.2% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 6 | 4.1% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 33.9% |
| Availability | 16 | 27.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 16.9% |
| Equipment | 6 | 10.2% |
| Indecency | 5 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.4% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
453 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 49.7% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (833) 304-1447 | 5 | 1.1% |
| (209) 332-1472 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (916) 476-2107 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 912-2261 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 224-4343 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (203) 881-4563 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (206) 589-9728 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (208) 565-3137 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (209) 460-0994 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (214) 276-6723 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (833) 304-1447 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.