FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 August 2021
Introduction
On 12 August 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 949 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 863 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 542 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 949
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (542)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (130)
Where the complaints came from
The 949 complaints recorded on 12 August 2021 originated from 616 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. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 130 | 13.7% |
| Texas | 83 | 8.7% |
| New York | 79 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 57 | 6.0% |
| Illinois | 39 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 38 | 4.0% |
| Georgia | 29 | 3.1% |
| Arizona | 28 | 3.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 28 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 27 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 410 | 43.2% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 8 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 744 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 744 | 78.4% |
| Internet | 134 | 14.1% |
| TV | 45 | 4.7% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 7 | 0.7% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Broadband Story | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
744 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 542 | 72.8% |
| Billing | 52 | 7.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 51 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 45 | 6.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 3.0% |
| Privacy | 15 | 2.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.1% |
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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
134 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 59 | 44.0% |
| Availability | 40 | 29.9% |
| Speed | 12 | 9.0% |
| Interference | 11 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.0% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 16 | 35.6% |
| Billing | 13 | 28.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 9 | 20.0% |
| Indecency | 5 | 11.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.4% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority 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.