FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 October 2021
Introduction
On Tuesday, 12 October 2021, 920 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this was higher than the 671 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 52 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 516 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 920
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (516)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (103)
Where the complaints came from
The 920 complaints recorded on 12 October 2021 originated from 598 cities across 52 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 103 | 11.2% |
| Florida | 77 | 8.4% |
| Texas | 75 | 8.2% |
| New York | 58 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | 41 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 37 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 35 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 35 | 3.8% |
| Maryland | 31 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 24 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 402 | 43.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 70 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 8 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 697 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 697 | 75.8% |
| Internet | 124 | 13.5% |
| TV | 78 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.1% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.4% |
| Broadband Story | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
697 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 75.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 516 | 74.0% |
| Billing | 53 | 7.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 48 | 6.9% |
| Equipment | 28 | 4.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 15 | 2.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 1.9% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.1% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.1% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.9% |
| 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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
124 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 13.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 53 | 42.7% |
| Billing | 35 | 28.2% |
| Speed | 13 | 10.5% |
| Privacy | 10 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 8 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 5 | 4.0% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
78 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 32 | 41.0% |
| Billing | 28 | 35.9% |
| Equipment | 7 | 9.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 6.4% |
| Indecency | 3 | 3.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
Unwanted calls
516 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 56.1% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (951) 797-1287 | 13 | 2.5% |
| (510) 264-7564 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (716) 902-7764 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (855) 215-8131 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (999) 999-9999 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (805) 637-7214 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (815) 427-3737 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (828) 616-3452 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (888) 530-3707 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (956) 290-8491 | 2 | 0.4% |
Key patterns
- None accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by service type.
- Prerecorded Voice accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by call type.
- (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.