FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 August 2021
Introduction
On 4 August 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 928 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 912 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with Florida reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 491 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 928
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (491)
- Most reported state/territory
- Florida (80)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 928 complaints were recorded on 4 August 2021, with reports originating from 628 cities in 49 states and territories. Complaint activity was widely distributed across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a notable share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 80 | 8.6% |
| California | 74 | 8.0% |
| Texas | 67 | 7.2% |
| New York | 63 | 6.8% |
| Georgia | 32 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 32 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 30 | 3.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 29 | 3.1% |
| Virginia | 29 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 459 | 49.5% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 8 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 704 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 704 | 75.9% |
| Internet | 122 | 13.1% |
| TV | 75 | 8.1% |
| Radio | 19 | 2.0% |
| Broadband Story | 4 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
704 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 491 | 69.7% |
| Billing | 65 | 9.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 47 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 40 | 5.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 2.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 11 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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
122 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 38.5% |
| Availability | 44 | 36.1% |
| Speed | 11 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.2% |
| Interference | 6 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 20 | 26.7% |
| Billing | 20 | 26.7% |
| Indecency | 15 | 20.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 11 | 14.7% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.3% |
| Interference | 4 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Indecency among the most common.
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.