FCC Consumer Complaints – 14 September 2023
Introduction
On 14 September 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 839 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 795 complaints recorded the previous day. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. The most common issue reported was Unwanted Calls, accounting for 367 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 839
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (367)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (101)
Where the complaints came from
Reports recorded on 14 September 2023 show 839 complaints originating from 557 cities across 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, a significant concentration was observed in Washington, where Seattle accounted for 41 of the 61 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 | 101 | 12.0% |
| Texas | 62 | 7.4% |
| Washington | 61 | 7.3% |
| Florida | 60 | 7.2% |
| New York | 37 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 31 | 3.7% |
| Virginia | 31 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 28 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 28 | 3.3% |
| Colorado | 25 | 3.0% |
| Other states and territories | 375 | 44.7% |
Location highlight
Complaints in Washington were heavily concentrated in Seattle, which accounted for the majority of reports within the state.
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 7 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 586 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 586 | 69.8% |
| Internet | 188 | 22.4% |
| TV | 45 | 5.4% |
| Radio | 8 | 1.0% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 0.6% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.4% |
Phone complaints
586 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 367 | 62.6% |
| Billing | 63 | 10.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 47 | 8.0% |
| Equipment | 27 | 4.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 23 | 3.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 16 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 16 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 12 | 2.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 8 | 1.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 5 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
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 Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
188 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 81 | 43.1% |
| Availability | 63 | 33.5% |
| Equipment | 15 | 8.0% |
| Interference | 12 | 6.4% |
| Speed | 9 | 4.8% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
45 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 20 | 44.4% |
| Billing | 14 | 31.1% |
| Indecency | 4 | 8.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 8.9% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.4% |
| Privacy | 1 | 2.2% |
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.