FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 August 2022
Introduction
On 31 August 2022, 1027 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, this represented a decline from the 1033 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 442 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1027
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (442)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (158)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 31 August 2022 show 1027 complaints originating from 686 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
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 | 158 | 15.4% |
| Texas | 90 | 8.8% |
| Florida | 76 | 7.4% |
| West Virginia | 58 | 5.6% |
| New York | 52 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 38 | 3.7% |
| Michigan | 34 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 31 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 30 | 2.9% |
| Illinois | 27 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 432 | 42.1% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 84 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 8 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 729 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 729 | 71.0% |
| Internet | 207 | 20.2% |
| TV | 57 | 5.6% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.8% |
| Broadband Story | 8 | 0.8% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
729 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 442 | 60.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 103 | 14.1% |
| Billing | 74 | 10.2% |
| Equipment | 36 | 4.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 17 | 2.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 1.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.4% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
207 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 91 | 44.0% |
| Billing | 72 | 34.8% |
| Equipment | 12 | 5.8% |
| Interference | 11 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 11 | 5.3% |
| Speed | 10 | 4.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 25 | 43.9% |
| Availability | 12 | 21.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 12 | 21.1% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.5% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
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.