FCC Consumer Complaints – 26 March 2026
Introduction
On 26 March 2026, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 1193 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, this was higher than the 1140 complaints recorded the day before. The complaints came from 52 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
This date falls within a government shutdown period from 14 February 2026 to 30 April 2026. Complaint volumes during this period may be lower than usual.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1193
- States & territories reporting
- 52
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (504)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (144)
Where the complaints came from
A total of 1193 complaints were recorded on 26 March 2026, with reports originating from 799 cities in 52 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. A similar pattern is observed at the city level, with complaints spread across locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
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 | 144 | 12.1% |
| Texas | 113 | 9.5% |
| Florida | 96 | 8.0% |
| New York | 70 | 5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 69 | 5.8% |
| Illinois | 53 | 4.4% |
| Arizona | 43 | 3.6% |
| Colorado | 43 | 3.6% |
| North Carolina | 42 | 3.5% |
| Georgia | 40 | 3.4% |
| Other states and territories | 477 | 40.0% |
Location highlight
Complaints in California were reported across 105 cities, the widest spread observed on this date.
What the complaints were about
A total of 7 complaint categories were represented in the complaints recorded on this date. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 932 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 932 | 78.1% |
| Internet | 168 | 14.1% |
| TV | 51 | 4.3% |
| Radio | 29 | 2.4% |
| Accessibility | 6 | 0.5% |
| Emergency | 4 | 0.3% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.3% |
Phone complaints
932 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 78.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 504 | 54.1% |
| Billing | 194 | 20.8% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 81 | 8.7% |
| Equipment | 55 | 5.9% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 35 | 3.8% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 23 | 2.5% |
| Privacy | 22 | 2.4% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 11 | 1.2% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 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
168 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 14.1% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 78 | 46.4% |
| Availability | 39 | 23.2% |
| Equipment | 16 | 9.5% |
| Speed | 16 | 9.5% |
| Interference | 11 | 6.5% |
| Privacy | 7 | 4.2% |
Billing and Availability accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
TV complaints
51 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 32 | 62.7% |
| Interference | 6 | 11.8% |
| Billing | 4 | 7.8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 7.8% |
| Indecency | 3 | 5.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 2 | 3.9% |
Availability and Interference accounted for the majority of complaints in this category, with other issues reported less frequently.
Unwanted calls
There were 504 complaints relating to unwanted calls on this date, representing 42.2% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact number details are listed below where there is enough concentration to make the data meaningful.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (866) 398-3898 | 7 | 1.4% |
| (888) 269-4978 | 7 | 1.4% |
| (833) 371-8520 | 4 | 0.8% |
| (833) 371-7380 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (855) 357-2016 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (866) 771-5844 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (877) 578-3476 | 3 | 0.6% |
| (315) 215-8142 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (607) 294-9001 | 2 | 0.4% |
| (202) 596-7938 | 1 | 0.2% |
Key patterns
- Other Services accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by service type.
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- Several business contact numbers were reported multiple times, with no single number clearly ahead of the others.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
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.