FCC Consumer Complaints – 13 October 2023
Introduction
On 13 October 2023, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 803 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 863 complaints recorded the previous day. Reports were received from 49 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Complaints relating to Unwanted Calls were marginally higher than for other issue types.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 803
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (292)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (95)
Where the complaints came from
Across 559 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 803 complaints were recorded on 13 October 2023. Complaints were distributed across states and territories in a broadly even manner, with no individual location standing out significantly. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The distribution of complaints by state and territory is shown below, with locations ranked by the number of reports recorded.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 95 | 11.8% |
| Florida | 63 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 61 | 7.6% |
| New York | 45 | 5.6% |
| Illinois | 41 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 32 | 4.0% |
| Washington | 31 | 3.9% |
| Indiana | 29 | 3.6% |
| Maryland | 29 | 3.6% |
| Michigan | 28 | 3.5% |
| Other states and territories | 349 | 43.5% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 7 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 571 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 571 | 71.1% |
| Internet | 161 | 20.0% |
| TV | 42 | 5.2% |
| Radio | 17 | 2.1% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.7% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.5% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
571 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 71.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 292 | 51.1% |
| Billing | 117 | 20.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 57 | 10.0% |
| Equipment | 45 | 7.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 25 | 4.4% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 11 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 9 | 1.6% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 5 | 0.9% |
| Junk Faxes | 5 | 0.9% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 5 | 0.9% |
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
161 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 68 | 42.2% |
| Availability | 49 | 30.4% |
| Equipment | 15 | 9.3% |
| Interference | 13 | 8.1% |
| Speed | 13 | 8.1% |
| Privacy | 3 | 1.9% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
42 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 5.2% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 17 | 40.5% |
| Billing | 15 | 35.7% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 9.5% |
| Indecency | 3 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.8% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.4% |
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.