FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 September 2021
Introduction
On Saturday, 4 September 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 391 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 919 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 46 states and territories, with Texas reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 200 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 391
- States & territories reporting
- 46
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (200)
- Most reported state/territory
- Texas (53)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 391 complaints were recorded on 4 September 2021, with reports originating from 272 cities in 46 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 53 | 13.6% |
| California | 45 | 11.5% |
| Illinois | 26 | 6.6% |
| Florida | 20 | 5.1% |
| Arizona | 18 | 4.6% |
| North Carolina | 15 | 3.8% |
| Colorado | 14 | 3.6% |
| New York | 14 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 13 | 3.3% |
| Other states and territories | 159 | 40.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 32 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 267 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 267 | 68.3% |
| Internet | 76 | 19.4% |
| TV | 38 | 9.7% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 1.0% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.8% |
| Radio | 3 | 0.8% |
Phone complaints
267 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 200 | 74.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 21 | 7.9% |
| Billing | 13 | 4.9% |
| Equipment | 12 | 4.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 5 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 2 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.7% |
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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
76 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 23 | 30.3% |
| Billing | 18 | 23.7% |
| Speed | 10 | 13.2% |
| Interference | 9 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 8 | 10.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 10.5% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Availability, Billing and Speed among the most common.
TV complaints
38 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 36.8% |
| Availability | 12 | 31.6% |
| Indecency | 5 | 13.2% |
| Billing | 4 | 10.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Loud Commercials and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 200 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 51.2% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (651) 461-4807 | 10 | 5.0% |
| (817) 409-7505 | 9 | 4.5% |
| (817) 409-7661 | 6 | 3.0% |
| (817) 409-7795 | 5 | 2.5% |
| (876) 447-2590 | 4 | 2.0% |
| (850) 407-5544 | 3 | 1.5% |
| (984) 241-9046 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (202) 998-1820 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (203) 555-5555 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (205) 653-8711 | 1 | 0.5% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (817) 409-7505 | 9 | 4.5% |
| (817) 409-7661 | 6 | 3.0% |
| (817) 409-7795 | 5 | 2.5% |
| (876) 447-2590 | 4 | 2.0% |
| (714) 694-7603 | 3 | 1.5% |
| (850) 407-5544 | 3 | 1.5% |
| (866) 706-1619 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (904) 495-2559 | 2 | 1.0% |
| (202) 998-1820 | 1 | 0.5% |
| (203) 555-5555 | 1 | 0.5% |
Key patterns
- None accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by service type.
- Abandoned Calls was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (817) 409-7505 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (651) 461-4807 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.