FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 May 2025
Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission recorded 412 consumer complaints on Sunday, 18 May 2025 relating to telecommunications services, this represented a decline from the 653 complaints recorded the day before. Complaints were reported across 48 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 412
- States & territories reporting
- 48
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (106)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (42)
Where the complaints came from
The 412 complaints recorded on 18 May 2025 originated from 316 cities across 48 states and territories. Complaints were relatively evenly spread across states and territories, with no individual location contributing a dominant share. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 42 | 10.2% |
| New York | 26 | 6.3% |
| Texas | 23 | 5.6% |
| Florida | 21 | 5.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 5.1% |
| North Carolina | 18 | 4.4% |
| Wisconsin | 18 | 4.4% |
| Illinois | 17 | 4.1% |
| Michigan | 15 | 3.6% |
| New Jersey | 15 | 3.6% |
| Other states and territories | 196 | 47.6% |
Location highlight
California had the widest distribution of complaints, with reports originating from 36 different cities.
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date were spread across 7 complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 288 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 288 | 69.9% |
| Internet | 85 | 20.6% |
| TV | 19 | 4.6% |
| Radio | 10 | 2.4% |
| Accessibility | 5 | 1.2% |
| Emergency | 4 | 1.0% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 1 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
288 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 69.9% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 106 | 36.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 54 | 18.8% |
| Equipment | 38 | 13.2% |
| Billing | 34 | 11.8% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 19 | 6.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 15 | 5.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 3.5% |
| Privacy | 10 | 3.5% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.7% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Availability (including rural call completion), Equipment and Billing.
Internet complaints
85 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 20.6% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 31 | 36.5% |
| Availability | 30 | 35.3% |
| Interference | 11 | 12.9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 5.9% |
| Speed | 5 | 5.9% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.5% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
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.