FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 May 2023
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 822 consumer complaints on 5 May 2023 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 851 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 48 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 338 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 822
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (338)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (113)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 822 complaints were recorded on 5 May 2023, with reports originating from 540 cities in 48 states and territories. Complaint reports were spread across multiple states and territories, without any one location accounting for a large share. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in Alabama, where Gegewg accounted for 25 of the 37 complaints recorded in the state.
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 | 113 | 13.7% |
| Florida | 76 | 9.2% |
| Texas | 61 | 7.4% |
| New York | 52 | 6.3% |
| Illinois | 44 | 5.4% |
| Alabama | 37 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 28 | 3.4% |
| Maryland | 23 | 2.8% |
| Michigan | 23 | 2.8% |
| Colorado | 21 | 2.6% |
| Other states and territories | 344 | 41.8% |
Location highlight
Gegewg accounted for the majority of complaints recorded in Alabama.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 529 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 529 | 64.4% |
| Internet | 212 | 25.8% |
| TV | 61 | 7.4% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.5% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
529 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 64.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 338 | 63.9% |
| Billing | 59 | 11.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 34 | 6.4% |
| Equipment | 27 | 5.1% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 14 | 2.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 13 | 2.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.5% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 1.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.8% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
212 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 87 | 41.0% |
| Availability | 74 | 34.9% |
| Privacy | 16 | 7.5% |
| Speed | 13 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 11 | 5.2% |
| Interference | 11 | 5.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
61 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 36 | 59.0% |
| Billing | 13 | 21.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.9% |
| Interference | 2 | 3.3% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.6% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.6% |
Availability and Billing accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 338 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 41.1% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (650) 613-6119 | 5 | 1.5% |
| (866) 625-0021 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (203) 277-1033 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (203) 328-9167 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (205) 236-9251 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (205) 973-3423 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (206) 408-3897 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (213) 460-4696 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (217) 742-0739 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (218) 318-5208 | 1 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- None accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by service type.
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (650) 613-6119 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.