FCC Consumer Complaints – 1 May 2023
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 796 consumer complaints on 1 May 2023 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 302 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 50 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 796
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (301)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (102)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 796 complaints were recorded on 1 May 2023, with reports originating from 535 cities in 50 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 102 | 12.8% |
| Texas | 63 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 60 | 7.5% |
| New York | 57 | 7.2% |
| Illinois | 41 | 5.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 33 | 4.1% |
| Washington | 25 | 3.1% |
| Virginia | 24 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 23 | 2.9% |
| Georgia | 21 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 347 | 43.6% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 59 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
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 518 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 518 | 65.1% |
| Internet | 211 | 26.5% |
| TV | 42 | 5.3% |
| Radio | 16 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
518 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 65.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 301 | 58.1% |
| Billing | 78 | 15.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 54 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 28 | 5.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 4.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 10 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.7% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 6 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 1.0% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
211 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 26.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 79 | 37.4% |
| Billing | 71 | 33.6% |
| Interference | 17 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 16 | 7.6% |
| Privacy | 15 | 7.1% |
| Speed | 13 | 6.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
42 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22 | 52.4% |
| Availability | 8 | 19.0% |
| Indecency | 4 | 9.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 9.5% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.4% |
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.