FCC Consumer Complaints – 23 August 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 995 consumer complaints on 23 August 2021 relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 322 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 577 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 995
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (577)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (121)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 995 complaints were recorded on 23 August 2021, with reports originating from 675 cities in 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 121 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 84 | 8.4% |
| New York | 78 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 77 | 7.7% |
| Michigan | 35 | 3.5% |
| Ohio | 35 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 33 | 3.3% |
| Illinois | 32 | 3.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 30 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 439 | 44.1% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 80 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 770 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 770 | 77.4% |
| Internet | 141 | 14.2% |
| TV | 68 | 6.8% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
770 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 577 | 74.9% |
| Billing | 54 | 7.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 40 | 5.2% |
| Equipment | 32 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 21 | 2.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 2.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
141 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 57 | 40.4% |
| Billing | 50 | 35.5% |
| Privacy | 10 | 7.1% |
| Speed | 10 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 5 | 3.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 25 | 36.8% |
| Billing | 21 | 30.9% |
| Indecency | 11 | 16.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.5% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.5% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.