FCC Consumer Complaints – 31 August 2023
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 888 consumer complaints on 31 August 2023 relating to telecommunications services, this was lower than the 963 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 50 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints were most commonly associated with Unwanted Calls, accounting for 346 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 888
- States & territories reporting
- 50
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (346)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (93)
Where the complaints came from
Across 569 cities in 50 states and territories, a total of 888 complaints were recorded on 31 August 2023. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in South Carolina, where Sunset accounted for 43 of the 66 complaints recorded.
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 | 93 | 10.5% |
| Texas | 88 | 9.9% |
| Florida | 66 | 7.4% |
| South Carolina | 66 | 7.4% |
| New York | 41 | 4.6% |
| Alabama | 37 | 4.2% |
| Illinois | 32 | 3.6% |
| Ohio | 32 | 3.6% |
| Georgia | 28 | 3.2% |
| North Carolina | 27 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 378 | 42.6% |
Location highlight
A large share of complaints in South Carolina originated from Sunset, which accounted for most reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 622 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 622 | 70.0% |
| Internet | 188 | 21.2% |
| TV | 57 | 6.4% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 4 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
622 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 346 | 55.6% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 119 | 19.1% |
| Billing | 73 | 11.7% |
| Equipment | 31 | 5.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 15 | 2.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 13 | 2.1% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 8 | 1.3% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 1.1% |
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 Availability (including rural call completion), Billing and Equipment.
Internet complaints
188 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 21.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 70 | 37.2% |
| Availability | 69 | 36.7% |
| Interference | 16 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 15 | 8.0% |
| Speed | 11 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 7 | 3.7% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
57 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 32 | 56.1% |
| Billing | 16 | 28.1% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 7.0% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.3% |
| Indecency | 1 | 1.8% |
| Privacy | 1 | 1.8% |
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.