FCC Consumer Complaints – January 2024
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 24354 consumer complaints in January 2024 relating to telecommunications services, this represented an increase from the 19066 complaints recorded the previous month. Complaints were reported across 56 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 10147 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 24354
- Days with complaint data
- 31
- Days with complaints
- 31
- States & territories reporting
- 56
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (10147)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (2754)
Daily complaint activity
Across the month, the FCC recorded an average of 785.6 complaints per day. The highest daily total was 1089 complaints on 10 January 2024, while 19 days recorded more complaints than the monthly daily average. The quietest day was 28 January 2024, with 345 complaints, noticeably below the monthly average.
Each bar represents one day of the month. Taller bars indicate more complaints.
Where the complaints came from
The 24354 complaints recorded in January 2024 originated from 5503 cities across 56 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. A notable concentration at the city level was observed in District of Columbia, where Washington accounted for 132 of the 143 complaints recorded in the state.
The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory during the month, ordered by total reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2754 | 11.3% |
| Texas | 1933 | 7.9% |
| Florida | 1688 | 6.9% |
| New York | 1410 | 5.8% |
| Illinois | 1395 | 5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 894 | 3.7% |
| Georgia | 859 | 3.5% |
| Washington | 780 | 3.2% |
| Michigan | 719 | 3.0% |
| Alabama | 714 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 11195 | 46.0% |
Location highlight
Washington accounted for nearly all complaints recorded in District of Columbia.
What the complaints were about
A total of 8 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded during the month. Phone was the most reported category, with 16566 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 16566 | 68.0% |
| Internet | 5389 | 22.1% |
| TV | 1814 | 7.4% |
| Radio | 362 | 1.5% |
| Accessibility | 107 | 0.4% |
| Emergency | 86 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 29 | 0.1% |
| Broadband Story | 1 | 0.0% |
Phone complaints
16566 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 68.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 10147 | 61.3% |
| Billing | 2274 | 13.7% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 1450 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 993 | 6.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 522 | 3.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 307 | 1.9% |
| Privacy | 298 | 1.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 259 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 203 | 1.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 74 | 0.4% |
| Rural Call Completion | 27 | 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
5389 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 22.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 2096 | 38.9% |
| Availability | 1791 | 33.2% |
| Speed | 465 | 8.6% |
| Interference | 393 | 7.3% |
| Equipment | 331 | 6.1% |
| Privacy | 313 | 5.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
1814 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 7.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 830 | 45.8% |
| Billing | 483 | 26.6% |
| Loud Commercials | 168 | 9.3% |
| Indecency | 157 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 76 | 4.2% |
| Interference | 67 | 3.7% |
| Privacy | 20 | 1.1% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Availability and Billing, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Radio complaints
362 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 1.5% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 115 | 31.8% |
| Availability | 78 | 21.5% |
| Pirate Radio | 69 | 19.1% |
| Indecency | 60 | 16.6% |
| Billing | 15 | 4.1% |
| Commercials/Promotions | 11 | 3.0% |
| Equipment | 10 | 2.8% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Interference, Availability and Pirate Radio among the most common.
Accessibility complaints
107 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 0.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Captioning on TV | 34 | 31.8% |
| Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) | 17 | 15.9% |
| Closed Captioning over the Internet | 16 | 15.0% |
| Emergency Information on TV | 4 | 3.7% |
| Video Description | 4 | 3.7% |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility of Wireless Phones | 2 | 1.9% |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility of Wireline Phones | 1 | 0.9% |
A broad mix of issues was reported in this category, with Closed Captioning on TV, Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) and Closed Captioning over the Internet among the most common.
Emergency complaints
86 complaints were recorded in this category during the month, representing 0.4% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Interference | 34 | 39.5% |
| Phone | 22 | 25.6% |
| Other | 20 | 23.3% |
| Tower | 10 | 11.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Interference and Phone, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
10147 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 41.7% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.
Most reported caller ID numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (339) 210-5491 | 13 | 0.1% |
| (571) 272-4000 | 10 | 0.1% |
| (855) 649-1272 | 9 | 0.1% |
| (346) 556-0492 | 8 | 0.1% |
| (540) 315-8592 | 8 | 0.1% |
| (844) 523-3530 | 7 | 0.1% |
| (239) 372-3124 | 5 | 0.0% |
| (800) 531-8722 | 5 | 0.0% |
| (801) 803-5387 | 5 | 0.0% |
| (844) 523-2845 | 5 | 0.0% |
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (855) 649-1272 | 277 | 2.7% |
| (833) 431-2961 | 118 | 1.2% |
| (555) 555-5555 | 26 | 0.3% |
| (339) 210-5491 | 19 | 0.2% |
| (823) 431-2961 | 9 | 0.1% |
| (833) 431-3530 | 9 | 0.1% |
| (202) 235-2097 | 7 | 0.1% |
| (540) 315-8592 | 7 | 0.1% |
| (571) 272-4000 | 6 | 0.1% |
| (833) 644-6117 | 6 | 0.1% |
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.
- (855) 649-1272 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- (339) 210-5491 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
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.