FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 August 2021
Introduction
On Thursday, 19 August 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1141 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 1148 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 731 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1141
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (731)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (118)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1141 complaints were recorded on 19 August 2021, with reports originating from 775 cities in 51 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. 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 | 118 | 10.3% |
| Texas | 102 | 8.9% |
| Florida | 76 | 6.7% |
| New York | 64 | 5.6% |
| Georgia | 46 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 46 | 4.0% |
| Colorado | 45 | 3.9% |
| Arizona | 40 | 3.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 37 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 526 | 46.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 912 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 912 | 79.9% |
| Internet | 147 | 12.9% |
| TV | 57 | 5.0% |
| Radio | 20 | 1.8% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
912 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 79.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 731 | 80.2% |
| Billing | 52 | 5.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 44 | 4.8% |
| Equipment | 24 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 20 | 2.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 1.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
147 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 63 | 42.9% |
| Billing | 51 | 34.7% |
| Speed | 14 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.5% |
| Interference | 4 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 4 | 2.7% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 33.3% |
| Availability | 14 | 24.6% |
| Indecency | 11 | 19.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 17.5% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Indecency.
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.