FCC Consumer Complaints – 17 August 2021
Introduction
A total of 1064 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 17 August 2021, this represented an increase from the 924 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 610 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1064
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (610)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (144)
Where the complaints came from
The 1064 complaints recorded on 17 August 2021 originated from 733 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 144 | 13.5% |
| Florida | 80 | 7.5% |
| Texas | 78 | 7.3% |
| New York | 65 | 6.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 48 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 36 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 34 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 32 | 3.0% |
| Arizona | 31 | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 30 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 484 | 45.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 95 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 803 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 803 | 75.5% |
| Internet | 162 | 15.2% |
| TV | 84 | 7.9% |
| Radio | 6 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.5% |
| Broadband Story | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
803 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 610 | 76.0% |
| Billing | 70 | 8.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 50 | 6.2% |
| Equipment | 28 | 3.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 17 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.4% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section 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
162 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 15.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 35.8% |
| Availability | 52 | 32.1% |
| Equipment | 16 | 9.9% |
| Interference | 15 | 9.3% |
| Speed | 14 | 8.6% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.3% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
84 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 19 | 22.6% |
| Indecency | 17 | 20.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 13 | 15.5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.6% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability and Indecency among the most common.
Unwanted calls
610 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 57.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 706-1619 | 6 | 1.0% |
| (315) 232-8257 | 4 | 0.7% |
| (216) 478-5118 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (254) 244-3386 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (312) 290-3928 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (321) 306-4296 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 2 | 0.3% |
| (202) 489-4368 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 916-8028 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (204) 748-6208 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- None accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by service type.
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (866) 706-1619 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.