FCC Consumer Complaints – 3 September 2021
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 919 consumer complaints on 3 September 2021 relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 980 complaints the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 524 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 919
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (524)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (108)
Where the complaints came from
Across 596 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 919 complaints were recorded on 3 September 2021. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 108 | 11.8% |
| Florida | 91 | 9.9% |
| Texas | 59 | 6.4% |
| New York | 56 | 6.1% |
| New Jersey | 36 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 35 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 32 | 3.5% |
| Michigan | 32 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 32 | 3.5% |
| Colorado | 28 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 407 | 44.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 708 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 708 | 77.0% |
| Internet | 124 | 13.5% |
| TV | 68 | 7.4% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
708 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 77.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 524 | 74.0% |
| Billing | 49 | 6.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 46 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 31 | 4.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 2.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 14 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 13 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 12 | 1.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided 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
124 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 36.3% |
| Availability | 44 | 35.5% |
| Interference | 11 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 10 | 8.1% |
| Speed | 10 | 8.1% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
68 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 27 | 39.7% |
| Availability | 15 | 22.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 14.7% |
| Indecency | 9 | 13.2% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5.9% |
| Interference | 3 | 4.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.