FCC Consumer Complaints – 27 September 2021
Introduction
On 27 September 2021, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 893 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 298 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 438 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 893
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (438)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (109)
Where the complaints came from
On 27 September 2021, the 893 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 612 cities across 52 states and territories. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 109 | 12.2% |
| Texas | 82 | 9.2% |
| Florida | 65 | 7.3% |
| New York | 50 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.9% |
| Illinois | 34 | 3.8% |
| Massachusetts | 32 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 30 | 3.4% |
| Arizona | 26 | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 26 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 396 | 44.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 644 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 644 | 72.1% |
| Internet | 151 | 16.9% |
| TV | 77 | 8.6% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
644 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 72.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 438 | 68.0% |
| Billing | 66 | 10.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 54 | 8.4% |
| Equipment | 36 | 5.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 3.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 0.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 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. 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
151 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 52 | 34.4% |
| Billing | 48 | 31.8% |
| Speed | 22 | 14.6% |
| Equipment | 12 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 9 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 26 | 33.8% |
| Availability | 23 | 29.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 10 | 13.0% |
| Interference | 8 | 10.4% |
| Indecency | 6 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.6% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.