FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 May 2022
Introduction
On 18 May 2022, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 862 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume fell from 895 complaints the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 405 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 862
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (405)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (104)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 862 complaints were recorded on 18 May 2022, with reports originating from 573 cities in 50 states and territories. The distribution of complaints was relatively even, with no single state or territory contributing a dominant share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 104 | 12.1% |
| Texas | 75 | 8.7% |
| Florida | 55 | 6.4% |
| New York | 54 | 6.3% |
| Illinois | 42 | 4.9% |
| Ohio | 42 | 4.9% |
| Arizona | 33 | 3.8% |
| North Carolina | 29 | 3.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 28 | 3.2% |
| New Jersey | 24 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 373 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 591 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 591 | 68.6% |
| Internet | 175 | 20.3% |
| TV | 75 | 8.7% |
| Radio | 14 | 1.6% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.5% |
| Broadband Story | 2 | 0.2% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
591 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 405 | 68.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 55 | 9.3% |
| Billing | 52 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 32 | 5.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 21 | 3.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 4 | 0.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3 | 0.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
175 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 82 | 46.9% |
| Availability | 61 | 34.9% |
| Speed | 10 | 5.7% |
| Privacy | 9 | 5.1% |
| Interference | 7 | 4.0% |
| Equipment | 6 | 3.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
75 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 38.7% |
| Availability | 16 | 21.3% |
| Indecency | 10 | 13.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 8 | 10.7% |
| Equipment | 6 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 6 | 8.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.