FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 March 2026
Introduction
On Saturday, 21 March 2026, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 570 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1118 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 47 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 103 complaints. Billing was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
This date falls within a government shutdown period from 14 February 2026 to 30 April 2026. Complaint volumes during this period may be lower than usual.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 570
- States & territories reporting
- 47
- Most common issue
- Billing (156)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (103)
Where the complaints came from
Across 402 cities in 47 states and territories, a total of 570 complaints were recorded on 21 March 2026. Complaints were less evenly distributed than usual, with California accounting for the highest proportion of reports. While complaints were reported across multiple cities, no individual location accounted for a significant share of the total.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 103 | 18.1% |
| Texas | 50 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 47 | 8.2% |
| New York | 37 | 6.5% |
| Georgia | 24 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 22 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 19 | 3.3% |
| Washington | 19 | 3.3% |
| Arizona | 16 | 2.8% |
| Michigan | 16 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 217 | 38.1% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 5 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 402 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 402 | 70.5% |
| Internet | 118 | 20.7% |
| TV | 36 | 6.3% |
| Emergency | 8 | 1.4% |
| Radio | 6 | 1.1% |
Phone complaints
402 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 153 | 38.1% |
| Billing | 103 | 25.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 44 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 40 | 10.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 26 | 6.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 17 | 4.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 2.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 2.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.5% |
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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
118 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 45 | 38.1% |
| Availability | 35 | 29.7% |
| Interference | 12 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 11 | 9.3% |
| Speed | 10 | 8.5% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
36 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 19 | 52.8% |
| Billing | 8 | 22.2% |
| Indecency | 5 | 13.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 11.1% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
153 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 26.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 994-2142 | 5 | 3.3% |
| (855) 994-1953 | 3 | 2.0% |
| (202) 594-9102 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (203) 513-6248 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (215) 709-0643 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (231) 266-9324 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (252) 415-2852 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (252) 718-0328 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (304) 272-4404 | 1 | 0.7% |
| (314) 648-0936 | 1 | 0.7% |
Key patterns
- Other Services accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by service type.
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (855) 994-2142 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- 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.