FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 May 2026
Introduction
A total of 1202 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 21 May 2026, complaint volume fell from 1251 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1202
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (493)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (125)
Where the complaints came from
On 21 May 2026, the 1202 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 760 cities across 49 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. 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 | 125 | 10.4% |
| Texas | 114 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 94 | 7.8% |
| New York | 66 | 5.5% |
| Illinois | 62 | 5.2% |
| Colorado | 55 | 4.6% |
| Georgia | 48 | 4.0% |
| Arizona | 45 | 3.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 42 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 42 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 507 | 42.2% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 941 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 941 | 78.3% |
| Internet | 199 | 16.6% |
| TV | 34 | 2.8% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
941 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 493 | 52.4% |
| Billing | 230 | 24.4% |
| Equipment | 67 | 7.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 44 | 4.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 43 | 4.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 27 | 2.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 20 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
199 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 16.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 82 | 41.2% |
| Availability | 39 | 19.6% |
| Equipment | 28 | 14.1% |
| Interference | 27 | 13.6% |
| Speed | 15 | 7.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
34 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 2.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 15 | 44.1% |
| Availability | 5 | 14.7% |
| Indecency | 5 | 14.7% |
| Interference | 4 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 8.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 5.9% |
Billing represented the largest share of complaints recorded in this category, with lower volumes reported across the remaining issues.
Unwanted calls
493 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 41% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| (217) 834-9685 | 7 | 1.4% |
| (888) 310-4836 | 5 | 1.0% |
| (217) 834-9517 | 4 | 0.8% |
| (844) 502-3202 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (877) 578-1953 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (888) 269-3180 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (888) 912-0236 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (833) 662-5764 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (888) 905-1250 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 264-3955 | 1 | 0.2% |
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.
- (217) 834-9685 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.