FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 March 2022
Introduction
A total of 373 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday, 12 March 2022, this was lower than the 849 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 49 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 373
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (126)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (52)
Where the complaints came from
On 12 March 2022, the 373 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 290 cities across 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 52 | 13.9% |
| Texas | 37 | 9.9% |
| New York | 29 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 27 | 7.2% |
| Ohio | 19 | 5.1% |
| Georgia | 16 | 4.3% |
| Michigan | 16 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 13 | 3.5% |
| Maryland | 13 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 136 | 36.5% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 39 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 6 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 240 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 240 | 64.3% |
| Internet | 85 | 22.8% |
| TV | 31 | 8.3% |
| Radio | 9 | 2.4% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.8% |
Phone complaints
240 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 126 | 52.5% |
| Billing | 43 | 17.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 25 | 10.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 6.7% |
| Equipment | 13 | 5.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 4 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 2 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.8% |
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, Availability (including rural call completion) and Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers).
Internet complaints
85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 36 | 42.4% |
| Availability | 27 | 31.8% |
| Speed | 11 | 12.9% |
| Interference | 6 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 2 | 2.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
31 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 11 | 35.5% |
| Billing | 11 | 35.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 16.1% |
| Indecency | 2 | 6.5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.2% |
| Privacy | 1 | 3.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
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.