- Suspicious
- Spam
One contributor reports a suspicious call from 07 3171 2833 (0731712833) claiming to be a fridge repair technician with unverifiable credentials and unusually high fees.
Suspicious Service Call from 07 3171 2833
A contributor received a call from 07 3171 2833 (also written as 0731712833) from someone claiming to be a technician named Tom offering fridge repair services. The caller quoted a $550 callout fee for repairs, which the contributor found suspiciously high for a standard service call.
When the contributor attempted to verify the caller's credentials using the license number provided (1314082), they could not find any matching registration on the QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission) website. This inability to verify the license raises concerns about the legitimacy of the caller and the business they claimed to represent.
What the Caller from 07 3171 2833 Claimed
The caller identified himself as Tom and immediately began discussing fridge repair work without explanation of how he obtained the contributor's number or details. He quoted a specific license number (1314082) when asked about his credentials, suggesting he anticipated verification questions.
The $550 callout fee mentioned during the call from 0731712833 is notably higher than typical service charges for appliance repairs in Queensland, which commonly range from $80-$200 for initial diagnostics. This pricing disparity, combined with the unverifiable license number, suggests the caller may be attempting to exploit uncertainty about legitimate service costs.
Verification Concerns
The QBCC maintains a public register of licensed contractors in Queensland. The inability to locate license number 1314082 on the QBCC website indicates the caller cannot be verified as a legitimate tradesperson operating under Queensland regulations.
Legitimate appliance repair technicians in Queensland typically carry verifiable credentials through the QBCC, industry associations, or established service companies. The combination of high fees and unverifiable licensing information associated with 07 3171 2833 suggests caution is warranted.
What to Do If You Receive a Call from 07 3171 2833
If 0731712833 calls claiming to offer repair services:
- Do not: Accept a quote or arrange a service visit without independent verification
- Do not: Provide payment information, bank details, or credit card numbers
- Do: Ask for the caller's full name, business name, and phone number
- Do: Independently verify any license number provided on the QBCC website (qbcc.qld.gov.au)
- Do: Hang up and contact the appliance manufacturer or a locally-known repair company if you actually need service
- Do: Block the number if the call is unsolicited
How to Report 07 3171 2833
If you receive similar calls from 07 3171 2833 or believe you have been contacted by a fraudulent tradesperson, you can report your experience through these channels:
- Report to the QBCC directly if the caller claims to be a licensed contractor - contact the QBCC to verify credentials or lodge a complaint at qbcc.qld.gov.au
- Report to Scamwatch if you believe the call is part of a scam - scamwatch.gov.au
- Lodge a complaint with the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) regarding unsolicited or suspicious calls - acma.gov.au
- Add the number to your phone's block list and report it to your phone provider
- Share your experience on Reverseau to help other Queensland residents identify potentially problematic callers
Help others by sharing your experience with (07) 3171 2833!
WRITE A REVIEWRatings Distribution
What Our Users Reviewed
Caller Tom quoted fridge magnets with $550 callout fee, license number 1314082 not found on QBCC website
quoted $150 for plumbing work I didn't ask for, keeps trying to solicit business
Help others by sharing your experience with (07) 3171 2833!
WRITE A REVIEWFrequently Asked Questions
How can I verify if a tradesperson calling about repairs is legitimate?
Always independently verify credentials before accepting a quote. If the caller claims to be a licensed contractor in Queensland, check the QBCC register at qbcc.qld.gov.au using any license number they provide. For 07 3171 2833, the caller provided license number 1314082 which could not be verified on the QBCC website. Legitimate tradespeople expect verification questions and can provide multiple ways to confirm their identity.
Is a $550 callout fee normal for fridge repair in Queensland?
No. Most licensed appliance repair technicians in Queensland charge between $80-$200 for an initial service call or diagnostics. The $550 quote provided by the caller from 0731712833 is significantly higher than industry standard rates, which is a red flag. Always compare quotes from multiple verified service providers before committing to a technician.
What should I do if I gave personal information to the caller from 07 3171 2833?
If you disclosed payment information, banking details, or personal identification to the caller claiming to be Tom, contact your bank immediately to report potential fraud. Monitor your accounts for unauthorised transactions. If you only provided your name and address, remain cautious of follow-up contact from 0731712833 or similar numbers. Consider reporting the incident to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and the ACMA.
Can I verify a QBCC license number before accepting service?
Yes. The QBCC website at qbcc.qld.gov.au includes a public register where you can search licensed contractors by name, license number, or business name. Before accepting any quote from 07 3171 2833 or any tradesperson, ask for their full details and verify them on this register. If a license number cannot be found, do not proceed with the service.
How did the caller from 0731712833 get my phone number?
The contributor's report does not indicate how the caller obtained the phone number. Unsolicited service calls often source numbers from online directories, previous service inquiries, or purchased contact lists. If you have not recently inquired about fridge repair services, this unsolicited call from 07 3171 2833 should be treated with extra caution. Block the number and report it to help prevent others from being contacted.
Should I be concerned about future calls related to this incident?
Yes. Scammers using unverifiable identities like the caller from 07 3171 2833 may attempt follow-up contact using the same or similar numbers, or they may sell your contact information to other fraudsters. Block 0731712833 on your phone to prevent further contact. If you receive repeat calls from this number or similar numbers claiming to offer the same service, report each instance to the ACMA at acma.gov.au to help authorities track patterns.