FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 August 2022
Introduction
On 5 August 2022, 947 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented an increase from the 931 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 456 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 947
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (456)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (137)
Where the complaints came from
Across 599 cities in 51 states and territories, a total of 947 complaints were recorded on 5 August 2022. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Massachusetts, where Acton accounted for 28 of the 43 complaints recorded.
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 | 137 | 14.5% |
| Texas | 81 | 8.6% |
| Florida | 62 | 6.5% |
| New York | 52 | 5.5% |
| Massachusetts | 43 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 37 | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 34 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 29 | 3.1% |
| Maryland | 29 | 3.1% |
| North Carolina | 29 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 411 | 43.4% |
Location highlights
- Complaints in Massachusetts were heavily concentrated in Acton, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
- California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 79 different cities.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 8 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 680 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 680 | 71.8% |
| Internet | 188 | 19.9% |
| TV | 56 | 5.9% |
| Radio | 16 | 1.7% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
680 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 456 | 67.1% |
| Billing | 63 | 9.3% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 61 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 42 | 6.2% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 3.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.1% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
188 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 19.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 72 | 38.3% |
| Billing | 61 | 32.4% |
| Speed | 18 | 9.6% |
| Interference | 15 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 14 | 7.4% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.3% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
56 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 18 | 32.1% |
| Availability | 15 | 26.8% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 21.4% |
| Indecency | 5 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.6% |
The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability and Loud Commercials.
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.