FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 October 2023
Introduction
A total of 822 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday, 5 October 2023, this was lower than the 835 complaints recorded the day before. Reports were received from 49 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
- 822
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (322)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (105)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 822 complaints were recorded on 5 October 2023, with reports originating from 588 cities in 49 states and territories. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. 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 | 105 | 12.8% |
| Texas | 66 | 8.0% |
| Florida | 58 | 7.1% |
| Illinois | 52 | 6.3% |
| New York | 46 | 5.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | 4.9% |
| North Carolina | 27 | 3.3% |
| Virginia | 26 | 3.2% |
| Georgia | 24 | 2.9% |
| New Jersey | 24 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 354 | 43.1% |
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. The largest number of complaints fell within Phone, which accounted for 578 reports. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 578 | 70.3% |
| Internet | 171 | 20.8% |
| TV | 49 | 6.0% |
| Radio | 17 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 3 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 3 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.1% |
Phone complaints
578 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 70.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 322 | 55.7% |
| Billing | 82 | 14.2% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 60 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 40 | 6.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 23 | 4.0% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 17 | 2.9% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 7 | 1.2% |
| Privacy | 7 | 1.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.7% |
| Rural Call Completion | 1 | 0.2% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail 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
171 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 70 | 40.9% |
| Availability | 58 | 33.9% |
| Interference | 16 | 9.4% |
| Speed | 10 | 5.8% |
| Equipment | 9 | 5.3% |
| Privacy | 8 | 4.7% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
49 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 19 | 38.8% |
| Availability | 15 | 30.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 5 | 10.2% |
| Interference | 4 | 8.2% |
| Indecency | 3 | 6.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.1% |
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.