FCC Consumer Complaints – 20 September 2021
Introduction
On Monday, 20 September 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 867 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 319 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 445 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 867
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (445)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (94)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 867 complaints were recorded on 20 September 2021, with reports originating from 598 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large 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 shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 94 | 10.8% |
| Texas | 87 | 10.0% |
| Florida | 66 | 7.6% |
| New York | 56 | 6.5% |
| North Carolina | 33 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 27 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 26 | 3.0% |
| New Jersey | 26 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 24 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 387 | 44.6% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 8 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 624 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 624 | 72.0% |
| Internet | 143 | 16.5% |
| TV | 78 | 9.0% |
| Radio | 17 | 2.0% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
624 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 445 | 71.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 62 | 9.9% |
| Billing | 45 | 7.2% |
| Equipment | 26 | 4.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 6 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 1.0% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
143 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 31.5% |
| Availability | 44 | 30.8% |
| Speed | 20 | 14.0% |
| Interference | 15 | 10.5% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.7% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 24 | 30.8% |
| Billing | 19 | 24.4% |
| Indecency | 13 | 16.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 12.8% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability, Billing 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.