FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 May 2023
Introduction
On 18 May 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 757 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 913 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 50 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 330 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 757
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (330)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (88)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 757 complaints were recorded on 18 May 2023, with reports originating from 541 cities in 50 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 | 88 | 11.6% |
| Texas | 59 | 7.8% |
| Florida | 54 | 7.1% |
| New York | 40 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 5.3% |
| Georgia | 28 | 3.7% |
| Colorado | 27 | 3.6% |
| Washington | 25 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 24 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 23 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 349 | 46.1% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 541 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 541 | 71.5% |
| Internet | 158 | 20.9% |
| TV | 43 | 5.7% |
| Radio | 9 | 1.2% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 1 | 0.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
541 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 330 | 61.0% |
| Billing | 65 | 12.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 44 | 8.1% |
| Equipment | 30 | 5.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 4.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 15 | 2.8% |
| Privacy | 15 | 2.8% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 1.1% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
158 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 65 | 41.1% |
| Availability | 50 | 31.6% |
| Privacy | 13 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 11 | 7.0% |
| Speed | 10 | 6.3% |
| Interference | 9 | 5.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
43 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 18 | 41.9% |
| Billing | 15 | 34.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 9.3% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.7% |
| Indecency | 2 | 4.7% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.3% |
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.