FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 May 2022
Introduction
A total of 886 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 12 May 2022, this represented an increase from the 814 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 462 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 886
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (462)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (136)
Where the complaints came from
The 886 complaints recorded on 12 May 2022 were submitted from 618 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 | 136 | 15.3% |
| Texas | 75 | 8.5% |
| Florida | 53 | 6.0% |
| New York | 51 | 5.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 35 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 29 | 3.3% |
| Georgia | 27 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 27 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 25 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 389 | 43.9% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 73 different cities.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 657 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 657 | 74.2% |
| Internet | 153 | 17.3% |
| TV | 64 | 7.2% |
| Radio | 7 | 0.8% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
657 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 462 | 70.3% |
| Billing | 58 | 8.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 57 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 39 | 5.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 11 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.6% |
As is typical for this category, unwanted calls accounted for the largest share of complaints. A more detailed analysis of these reports is provided in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
153 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 58 | 37.9% |
| Availability | 55 | 35.9% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.2% |
| Speed | 11 | 7.2% |
| Interference | 10 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 8 | 5.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
64 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 24 | 37.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 16 | 25.0% |
| Availability | 14 | 21.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.7% |
| Indecency | 3 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 462 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 52.1% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (888) 586-2188 | 5 | 1.1% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 4 | 0.9% |
| (855) 203-8863 | 4 | 0.9% |
| (513) 868-8279 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (513) 919-4404 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (513) 964-8366 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (725) 266-8509 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (949) 603-3852 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (201) 200-0014 | 1 | 0.2% |
| (201) 201-0089 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- None accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by service type.
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (888) 586-2188 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.