FCC Consumer Complaints – 11 August 2021
Introduction
On Wednesday, 11 August 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 863 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 963 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 460 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 863
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (460)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (97)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 11 August 2021 show 863 complaints originating from 580 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 97 | 11.2% |
| New York | 74 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 63 | 7.3% |
| Texas | 62 | 7.2% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 28 | 3.2% |
| Colorado | 25 | 2.9% |
| Ohio | 25 | 2.9% |
| Alabama | 24 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 398 | 46.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 8 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 647 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 647 | 75.0% |
| Internet | 137 | 15.9% |
| TV | 55 | 6.4% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Broadband Story | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
647 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 460 | 71.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 58 | 9.0% |
| Billing | 49 | 7.6% |
| Equipment | 29 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 18 | 2.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.5% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
137 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 50 | 36.5% |
| Billing | 47 | 34.3% |
| Speed | 14 | 10.2% |
| Interference | 12 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 11 | 8.0% |
| Privacy | 3 | 2.2% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
55 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22 | 40.0% |
| Availability | 10 | 18.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 16.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.3% |
| Indecency | 4 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 4 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.6% |
Billing accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.