FCC Consumer Complaints – 19 September 2023
Introduction
On Tuesday, 19 September 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 889 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 805 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was reported slightly more frequently than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 889
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (343)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (117)
Where the complaints came from
Across 629 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 889 complaints were recorded on 19 September 2023. 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 | 117 | 13.2% |
| Florida | 74 | 8.3% |
| New York | 64 | 7.2% |
| Texas | 56 | 6.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 44 | 4.9% |
| Illinois | 39 | 4.4% |
| North Carolina | 35 | 3.9% |
| Tennessee | 33 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 27 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 26 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 374 | 42.1% |
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 595 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 595 | 66.9% |
| Internet | 209 | 23.5% |
| TV | 52 | 5.8% |
| Radio | 18 | 2.0% |
| Accessibility | 10 | 1.1% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
| Emergency | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
595 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 66.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 343 | 57.6% |
| Billing | 94 | 15.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 49 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 47 | 7.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 22 | 3.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 16 | 2.7% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 7 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.8% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
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. The remaining complaints in this category were spread across several issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
209 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 23.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 92 | 44.0% |
| Availability | 74 | 35.4% |
| Speed | 16 | 7.7% |
| Equipment | 14 | 6.7% |
| Privacy | 7 | 3.3% |
| Interference | 6 | 2.9% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
TV complaints
52 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 21 | 40.4% |
| Availability | 14 | 26.9% |
| Indecency | 6 | 11.5% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 7.7% |
| Interference | 3 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 3.8% |
| Privacy | 2 | 3.8% |
Billing and Availability 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.