FCC Consumer Complaints – 12 May 2023
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 728 consumer complaints on 12 May 2023 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 712 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 302 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 728
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (302)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (95)
Where the complaints came from
On 12 May 2023, the 728 complaints recorded by the Federal Communications Commission were reported from 519 cities across 52 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
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 | 95 | 13.0% |
| Florida | 60 | 8.2% |
| Texas | 58 | 8.0% |
| New York | 43 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 30 | 4.1% |
| Washington | 27 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 26 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 26 | 3.6% |
| Illinois | 26 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 25 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 312 | 42.9% |
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 497 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 497 | 68.3% |
| Internet | 167 | 22.9% |
| TV | 41 | 5.6% |
| Radio | 17 | 2.3% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.3% |
| Accessibility | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
497 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 68.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 302 | 60.8% |
| Billing | 74 | 14.9% |
| Equipment | 37 | 7.4% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 28 | 5.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 3.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 13 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 13 | 2.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 3 | 0.6% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 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 Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion) among the most common.
Internet complaints
167 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 62 | 37.1% |
| Availability | 52 | 31.1% |
| Privacy | 15 | 9.0% |
| Equipment | 14 | 8.4% |
| Interference | 14 | 8.4% |
| Speed | 10 | 6.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
41 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 13 | 31.7% |
| Billing | 12 | 29.3% |
| Indecency | 5 | 12.2% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 9.8% |
| Interference | 3 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.9% |
| Privacy | 2 | 4.9% |
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.