How To Complain About Your Wireless Service


Got a gripe about your wireless service? Here's how to file complaints with federal and state officials and with your cell phone company.

Complaining to your cell phone company

We found that sending a complaint, concern or question to a cellular server is not always as easy as it should be. Physical addresses for these companies are sometimes difficult to find. In some cases you need to call customer service numbers and wait for automated operators to direct your call before you will reach a service representative. You will always need to have your cell phone number ready. Below are ways that you can contact major cellular companies via phone, mail or email.

Action steps for filing a complaint

Sample complaint letter


AT&T Wireless

Mailing address:
AT&T Wireless
P. O. Box 68055
Anaheim Hills, CA 92817-8055

Phone: Customer Care at 1-800-888-7600
Customer center
Contact AT&T Wireless


Cingular

Mailing address:
Cingular Wireless
Glenridge Highlands Two
5565 Glenridge Connector
Atlanta, GA 30342

Phone: 1-866-CINGULAR, TTY/TDD 1-866-241-6567
Customer service
Contact info


Nextel

Mailing address:
Nextel Communications
2001 Edmund Halley Dr.
Reston, VA 20191

Phone: Customer Support at 1-800-639-6111
Customer care
Contact info
Webform


Sprint

Mailing address:
Sprint PCS
P.O. Box 8077
London, Kentucky 40742

Phone: Sprint PCS Customer Care at 1-888-211-4PCS (4727)
Help Center


T-Mobile

Mailing address:
T-Mobile Customer Relations
P.O. Box 37380
Albuquerque, NM 87176-7380

Phone: Customer Care at 1-800-937-8997
Online help
Contact


Verizon Wireless

Mailing address: To find the mailing addresses for your region, enter your zip code at this site.

Phone: Customer Relations at 1-800-922-0204.
Contact Info: To find contact info your region, enter your zip code at this site.
Email form


Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

If you have a complaint regarding your cellular service and you do not receive satisfactory resolution from the company, you can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC does not handle contractual disputes or violations of state deceptive advertising laws (file these complaints with state attorneys general). The FCC forwards electronic and mail complaints to the service provider and directs the company to respond back to the Commission and the consumer within 30 days.

In order to file the complaint, consumers must submit:

· their contact information,

· the names of all companies involved in the dispute,

· the names of company representatives contacted, and

· the dates of correspondence with the company.

Consumers are also encouraged to maintain documentation of the billing or service problem.

The FCC accepts complaints by mail, telephone, fax, email and its online complaint page.

MAIL:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Complaints
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554

PHONE: Toll Free: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice
TTY: 1-888-TELL- FCC (1-888-835-5322)
FAX: 202-418-0232

Note: Not all FCC complaints result in fines or meaningful actions, but voicing concerns via the federal agency will ensure that disputes and inquiries are recorded and responded to.


State Attorney General Offices: Fraud And Contractual Discrepancies

State attorneys general and consumer protection offices will handle complaints about fraud and contract disputes. Based on consumer complaints, state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against wireless companies, resulting in refunds to consumers and agreements by some companies to reform certain practices.

Find your Attorney General's Office here.

When filing a complaint with a state attorney general’s office, explain in detail, with documentation, what the problem is, who it is with, what you have done and what you want to be done:

· Identify the business. Include the name and current address of the business. An agency will not be able to help very much without the firm's correct name and current address.

· Describe the problem. Describe as completely as you can the problem with the product or service you have purchased. Were you told something that was untrue? Describe what you were told and how it was untrue.

· Explain what you want the business to do. Specifically state how much money should be refunded or exactly how you want a product fixed or a service performed.

· Include photocopies. Always include photocopies of documents relevant to your complaint, including receipts, warranties, both sides of cancelled checks, contracts, etc. Do not send originals. Only send copies, except upon request of the agency to which you are making your complaint (and if you’re asked to send the original, make sure you keep a copy).


State Public Utility Commission (PUC)

Each state has a government agency, generally called a ‘public utility commission’ or ‘PUC’, that oversees telephone companies. To locate your state’s ‘PUC’ on the web, visit the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners at and find your state on the interactive map or dropdown menu. PUC websites will typically provide contact info and/or online methods of filing a complaint.