FCC Consumer Complaints – 4 May 2023
Introduction
On Thursday, 4 May 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 851 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 825 complaints recorded the previous day. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, and California generated the highest number of submissions with 139 complaints. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 377 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 851
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (377)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (139)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 4 May 2023 show 851 complaints originating from 564 cities across 50 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. 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 | 139 | 16.3% |
| Florida | 64 | 7.5% |
| New York | 60 | 7.1% |
| Texas | 59 | 6.9% |
| Georgia | 34 | 4.0% |
| Illinois | 32 | 3.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 29 | 3.4% |
| Colorado | 27 | 3.2% |
| Ohio | 25 | 2.9% |
| Washington | 25 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 357 | 42.0% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 577 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 577 | 67.8% |
| Internet | 210 | 24.7% |
| TV | 49 | 5.8% |
| Radio | 10 | 1.2% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
577 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 377 | 65.3% |
| Billing | 64 | 11.1% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 39 | 6.8% |
| Equipment | 35 | 6.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 24 | 4.2% |
| Privacy | 12 | 2.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 3 | 0.5% |
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. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
210 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 24.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 81 | 38.6% |
| Availability | 73 | 34.8% |
| Interference | 15 | 7.1% |
| Speed | 15 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 13 | 6.2% |
| Privacy | 13 | 6.2% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
49 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 17 | 34.7% |
| Billing | 16 | 32.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 14.3% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.1% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 2 | 4.1% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, 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.