FCC Consumer Complaints – 29 September 2023
Introduction
A total of 832 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on 29 September 2023, this represented a decline from the 865 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 52 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 338 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 832
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (338)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (111)
Where the complaints came from
Across 550 cities in 52 states and territories, a total of 832 complaints were recorded on 29 September 2023. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. 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 | 111 | 13.3% |
| Texas | 77 | 9.3% |
| New York | 61 | 7.3% |
| Florida | 53 | 6.4% |
| Georgia | 37 | 4.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 4.4% |
| Maryland | 33 | 4.0% |
| North Carolina | 28 | 3.4% |
| Massachusetts | 23 | 2.8% |
| Ohio | 23 | 2.8% |
| Other states and territories | 349 | 41.9% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 61 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone was the most reported category, with 563 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 563 | 67.7% |
| Internet | 183 | 22.0% |
| TV | 50 | 6.0% |
| Radio | 25 | 3.0% |
| Accessibility | 7 | 0.8% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
563 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 67.7% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 338 | 60.0% |
| Billing | 76 | 13.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 48 | 8.5% |
| Equipment | 36 | 6.4% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 27 | 4.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 18 | 3.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 7 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.2% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 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. A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment among the most common.
Internet complaints
183 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 22.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 72 | 39.3% |
| Availability | 63 | 34.4% |
| Speed | 20 | 10.9% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.0% |
| Privacy | 10 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 3.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
50 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 20 | 40.0% |
| Availability | 15 | 30.0% |
| Loud Commercials | 7 | 14.0% |
| Equipment | 4 | 8.0% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.0% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.0% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
There were 338 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 40.6% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (607) 201-0221 | 6 | 1.8% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 3 | 0.9% |
| (229) 682-2819 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (833) 652-7555 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (912) 566-9457 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (912) 566-9668 | 2 | 0.6% |
| (201) 645-2641 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (202) 989-2903 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (206) 474-8785 | 1 | 0.3% |
| (207) 203-7381 | 1 | 0.3% |
Key patterns
- None accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by service type.
- Live Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (607) 201-0221 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.