FCC Consumer Complaints – 2024
Introduction
A total of 303172 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission in 2024. The complaints came from 56 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 120234 complaints recorded.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 303172
- Months with complaint data
- 12
- Months with complaints
- 12
- Days with complaint data
- 366
- Days with complaints
- 366
- States & territories reporting
- 56
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (120234)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (33960)
Monthly complaint activity
The year averaged 25264.3 complaints per month. The highest monthly count was 35470 complaints in October 2024, with 6 months recording more complaints than the yearly monthly average.
Each bar represents one month of the year. Taller bars indicate more complaints.
Where the complaints came from
The 303172 complaints recorded in 2024 originated from 16833 cities across 56 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in District of Columbia, where Washington accounted for 1207 of the 1311 complaints recorded in the state.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory during the year, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| California | 33960 | 11.2% |
| Texas | 29334 | 9.7% |
| Florida | 20619 | 6.8% |
| New York | 17223 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 11548 | 3.8% |
| Illinois | 11117 | 3.7% |
| Washington | 10509 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 10172 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 9984 | 3.3% |
| Ohio | 9810 | 3.2% |
| Other states and territories | 138782 | 45.8% |
Location highlight
Washington accounted for nearly all complaints recorded in District of Columbia.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded during the year fell into 8 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 208585 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 208585 | 68.8% |
| Internet | 57306 | 18.9% |
| TV | 25771 | 8.5% |
| Radio | 5361 | 1.8% |
| Emergency | 4212 | 1.4% |
| Accessibility | 1697 | 0.6% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 227 | 0.1% |
| Broadband Story | 13 | 0.0% |
Phone complaints
208585 complaints were recorded in this category during the year, representing 68.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 120234 | 57.6% |
| Billing | 30208 | 14.5% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 19191 | 9.2% |
| Equipment | 13938 | 6.7% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 7567 | 3.6% |
| Privacy | 4146 | 2.0% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 3824 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 3512 | 1.7% |
| Junk Faxes | 3016 | 1.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 780 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 66 | 0.0% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
57306 complaints were recorded in this category during the year, representing 18.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 22598 | 39.4% |
| Availability | 18891 | 33.0% |
| Speed | 4874 | 8.5% |
| Interference | 4284 | 7.5% |
| Equipment | 3934 | 6.9% |
| Privacy | 2725 | 4.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
25771 complaints were recorded in this category during the year, representing 8.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 9763 | 37.9% |
| Indecency | 6125 | 23.8% |
| Billing | 5379 | 20.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 2664 | 10.3% |
| Equipment | 760 | 2.9% |
| Interference | 707 | 2.7% |
| Privacy | 274 | 1.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
5361 complaints were recorded in this category during the year, representing 1.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 1722 | 32.1% |
| Availability | 1133 | 21.1% |
| Pirate Radio | 1122 | 20.9% |
| Indecency | 828 | 15.4% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 171 | 3.2% |
| Equipment | 156 | 2.9% |
| Billing | 155 | 2.9% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Interference, Availability and Pirate Radio.
Emergency complaints
4212 complaints were recorded in this category during the year, representing 1.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 1715 | 40.7% |
| Interference | 1273 | 30.2% |
| Phone | 1084 | 25.7% |
| Tower | 140 | 3.3% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Other and Interference, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Accessibility complaints
1697 complaints were recorded in this category during the year, representing 0.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Captioning on TV | 683 | 40.2% |
| Closed Captioning over the Internet | 471 | 27.8% |
| Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) | 244 | 14.4% |
| Video Description | 53 | 3.1% |
| Emergency Information on TV | 29 | 1.7% |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility of Wireless Phones | 13 | 0.8% |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility of Wireline Phones | 6 | 0.4% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Closed Captioning on TV and Closed Captioning over the Internet, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Request for Dispute Assistance complaints
227 complaints were recorded in this category during the year, representing 0.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|
Unwanted calls
A total of 120234 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 39.7% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (773) 466-7206 | 82 | 0.1% |
| (833) 681-6641 | 37 | 0.0% |
| (571) 272-4000 | 34 | 0.0% |
| (202) 539-9268 | 32 | 0.0% |
| (877) 406-5590 | 32 | 0.0% |
| (339) 210-5491 | 29 | 0.0% |
| (602) 825-2138 | 26 | 0.0% |
| (800) 733-2767 | 21 | 0.0% |
| (833) 862-0724 | 20 | 0.0% |
| (916) 322-3350 | 20 | 0.0% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 649-1272 | 300 | 0.2% |
| (877) 941-1106 | 201 | 0.2% |
| (833) 431-2961 | 185 | 0.2% |
| (877) 200-2515 | 113 | 0.1% |
| (866) 659-0805 | 110 | 0.1% |
| (877) 867-5139 | 88 | 0.1% |
| (877) 200-0760 | 87 | 0.1% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 81 | 0.1% |
| (833) 409-3856 | 76 | 0.1% |
| (877) 200-1765 | 76 | 0.1% |
Key patterns
- None was reported slightly more often than other service types.
- Live Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (855) 649-1272 was reported slightly more often than other business contact numbers.
- (773) 466-7206 stood out as the most frequently reported caller ID number.
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.