FCC Consumer Complaints – 28 September 2021
Introduction
A total of 993 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 28 September 2021, this was higher than the 893 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 557 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 993
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (557)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (106)
Where the complaints came from
The 993 complaints recorded on 28 September 2021 were submitted from 651 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 106 | 10.7% |
| Florida | 87 | 8.8% |
| Texas | 75 | 7.6% |
| New York | 65 | 6.5% |
| Ohio | 42 | 4.2% |
| Georgia | 41 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 34 | 3.4% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.1% |
| New Jersey | 31 | 3.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 446 | 44.9% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 727 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 727 | 73.2% |
| Internet | 166 | 16.7% |
| TV | 75 | 7.6% |
| Radio | 22 | 2.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
727 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 73.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 557 | 76.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 53 | 7.3% |
| Billing | 50 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 29 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.0% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
166 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 66 | 39.8% |
| Billing | 49 | 29.5% |
| Speed | 18 | 10.8% |
| Equipment | 15 | 9.0% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 23 | 30.7% |
| Billing | 22 | 29.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 21.3% |
| Indecency | 13 | 17.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 557 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 56.1% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (951) 797-1287 | 5 | 0.9% |
| (207) 401-7916 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (443) 802-0323 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (706) 347-2317 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (866) 647-0881 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (912) 454-3683 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 331-7761 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 399-1761 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 812-6999 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (202) 224-2447 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- None accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by service type.
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (951) 797-1287 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.