FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 March 2022
Introduction
On Thursday, 31 March 2022, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1376 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 1626 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 53 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 865 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1376
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (865)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (185)
Where the complaints came from
The 1376 complaints recorded on 31 March 2022 were submitted from 887 cities across 53 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 185 | 13.4% |
| Florida | 111 | 8.1% |
| New York | 89 | 6.5% |
| Texas | 88 | 6.4% |
| Ohio | 57 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 56 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 53 | 3.9% |
| Virginia | 50 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 47 | 3.4% |
| New Jersey | 42 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 596 | 43.3% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 94 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1056 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1056 | 76.7% |
| TV | 174 | 12.6% |
| Internet | 125 | 9.1% |
| Radio | 17 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
1056 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 76.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 865 | 81.9% |
| Billing | 64 | 6.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 42 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 33 | 3.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 20 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 14 | 1.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 0.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
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.
TV complaints
174 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 12.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indecency | 92 | 52.9% |
| Availability | 37 | 21.3% |
| Billing | 25 | 14.4% |
| Loud Commercials | 19 | 10.9% |
| Equipment | 1 | 0.6% |
Indecency and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Internet complaints
125 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 46 | 36.8% |
| Billing | 44 | 35.2% |
| Speed | 13 | 10.4% |
| Interference | 11 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 6 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 5 | 4.0% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.