FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 October 2022
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 941 consumer complaints on 5 October 2022 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 935 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 156 complaints. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 402 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 941
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (402)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (156)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 5 October 2022 show 941 complaints originating from 614 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 156 | 16.6% |
| Texas | 76 | 8.1% |
| Florida | 58 | 6.2% |
| New York | 47 | 5.0% |
| Illinois | 39 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 36 | 3.8% |
| Virginia | 34 | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 27 | 2.9% |
| New Jersey | 27 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 409 | 43.5% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 65 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 671 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 671 | 71.3% |
| Internet | 188 | 20.0% |
| TV | 59 | 6.3% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.9% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
671 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 402 | 59.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 80 | 11.9% |
| Billing | 79 | 11.8% |
| Equipment | 46 | 6.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 3.3% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 9 | 1.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 1.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.4% |
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. 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
188 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 86 | 45.7% |
| Billing | 64 | 34.0% |
| Speed | 12 | 6.4% |
| Interference | 11 | 5.9% |
| Equipment | 10 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 5 | 2.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
59 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 28 | 47.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 14 | 23.7% |
| Availability | 10 | 16.9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 5.1% |
| Indecency | 2 | 3.4% |
| Interference | 1 | 1.7% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Loud Commercials, 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.