FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 September 2023
Introduction
A total of 805 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Monday, 18 September 2023, this was higher than the 349 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 53 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 805
- States & territories reporting
- 53
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (272)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (88)
Where the complaints came from
The 805 complaints recorded on 18 September 2023 originated from 556 cities across 53 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 88 | 10.9% |
| Texas | 60 | 7.5% |
| Florida | 58 | 7.2% |
| New York | 46 | 5.7% |
| Georgia | 38 | 4.7% |
| Washington | 34 | 4.2% |
| Virginia | 33 | 4.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | 3.9% |
| Ohio | 30 | 3.7% |
| Arizona | 29 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 358 | 44.5% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 531 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 531 | 66.0% |
| Internet | 181 | 22.5% |
| TV | 77 | 9.6% |
| Radio | 11 | 1.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
531 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 272 | 51.2% |
| Billing | 85 | 16.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 61 | 11.5% |
| Equipment | 50 | 9.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 16 | 3.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 16 | 3.0% |
| Junk Faxes | 13 | 2.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 10 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 6 | 1.1% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 1 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
181 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 69 | 38.1% |
| Availability | 52 | 28.7% |
| Equipment | 21 | 11.6% |
| Speed | 21 | 11.6% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 7 | 3.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
77 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 29 | 37.7% |
| Availability | 18 | 23.4% |
| Indecency | 16 | 20.8% |
| Equipment | 5 | 6.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 6.5% |
| Interference | 3 | 3.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, 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.