FCC Consumer Complaints – 21 August 2023
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 764 consumer complaints on Monday, 21 August 2023 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 348 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 51 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 764
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (280)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (95)
Where the complaints came from
The 764 complaints recorded on 21 August 2023 were submitted from 539 cities across 51 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 summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 95 | 12.4% |
| Florida | 61 | 8.0% |
| Texas | 55 | 7.2% |
| Illinois | 39 | 5.1% |
| Alabama | 34 | 4.5% |
| New York | 34 | 4.5% |
| Ohio | 33 | 4.3% |
| Georgia | 25 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 24 | 3.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | 3.1% |
| Other states and territories | 340 | 44.5% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 6 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 508 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 508 | 66.5% |
| Internet | 191 | 25.0% |
| TV | 49 | 6.4% |
| Radio | 12 | 1.6% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
508 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 280 | 55.1% |
| Billing | 69 | 13.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 48 | 9.4% |
| Equipment | 38 | 7.5% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 18 | 3.5% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 16 | 3.1% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 3.1% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 13 | 2.6% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
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
191 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 25.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 76 | 39.8% |
| Availability | 59 | 30.9% |
| Equipment | 15 | 7.9% |
| Interference | 14 | 7.3% |
| Speed | 14 | 7.3% |
| Privacy | 13 | 6.8% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
49 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 27 | 55.1% |
| Billing | 11 | 22.4% |
| Equipment | 4 | 8.2% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 4.1% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.0% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.0% |
Availability and Billing were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
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.