CrazySPAM Call Guard - free to use, block spam, scam and telemarketer calls

CrazySPAM Call Guard is free to use and does not cost anything. How to turn on CrazySPAM Call Guard: switch on Enable CrazySPAM Call Guard to block unwanted inbound callers, spam calls, scam calls, telemarketers, and nuisance calls on one phone number or mobile number. There is no monthly fee, no setup fee, and no per-call charge.

Price

CrazySPAM Call Guard is free to use on every Crazytel number and does not cost anything. Turning it on does not add a charge to the number. Blocking a caller does not add a per-call fee. There is no monthly fee and no setup fee. If you send blocked callers to a separate destination such as voicemail, an announcement, an IVR, or a ring group, that destination is a different product and is billed on its own.

What it does

Call Guard is set up on one number at a time, not for the whole account. Repeat the setup on every number that needs it. It never affects outbound calls or SMS. A typical setup takes under five minutes per number.

Where to find it

Landline and VoIP numbers:

1. Open Number Management.
2. Open Manage Phone Numbers.
3. Click Manage on the number.
4. Open the Call Guard tab.

Mobile numbers:

1. Open Products > SMS Center > Messaging > Number Management.
2. Click Manage on the number.
3. Open the Settings tab.

Some newly purchased numbers do not show Call Guard until it is enabled and saved once. Ported numbers and numbers already on the account can be set up straight away.

Turn it on

1. Switch on Enable CrazySPAM Call Guard.
2. Choose at least one block category, or add a number to the Block List.
3. Click Save changes.

Once Call Guard is saved on a number it cannot be removed, and the Enable switch stays on. To let every caller through later, untick every block category and clear the Block List. That makes Call Guard effectively off. The settings stay on the number.

Block categories

Tick any combination:

• Block Invalid Numbers — the caller ID is not a valid number format. This can also block internal SIP trunk calls, so leave it off on numbers that receive internal transfers.
• Block Hidden Numbers — Private, Anonymous, or No Caller ID.
• Block International — a non-Australian caller ID.
• Block Landline — Australian landline caller IDs.
• Block Mobile — Australian mobile caller IDs.

Ticking all five is invite-only mode. Every inbound call is blocked except numbers on the Allow List, and the portal warns you about that.

What blocked callers hear

The block route is what a blocked caller hears:

• Voice Not Configured plays a busy tone. This is the default and the usual choice.
• Hang up disconnects the call.
• Any other destination on that number — Voicemail, Announcements, IVR, Ring Groups, Call Forward, or a SIP URI — needs a Block destination selected.

A useful option is an announcement such as "this number does not accept calls from your number".

Block List and Allow List

Enter one number or pattern per line in international format. Australian numbers start with 61. For example, 0400 111 222 is 61400111222.

A dot matches one character and a plus repeats the previous match:

• 614.+ blocks every Australian mobile.
• 613.+ blocks Melbourne landlines.
• 6135551.+ blocks anything starting 6135551.

The Block List blocks those callers even when no category is ticked. The Allow List always wins over every category and the Block List. Use it for family, staff, and customers who must get through.

Test the change

Save changes, then test both ways. Call from a number that should be blocked, and from a number that should get through. Changes apply to new inbound calls only. They do not change a call that is already in progress.

Common setups

• Stop scam calls and keep customers: enable Call Guard, tick Block Hidden Numbers and Block International, leave the route on Voice Not Configured, and Allow-List any real customer who gets caught.
• Block one repeat caller: enable Call Guard, put their number on the Block List, set the route to Hang up, and leave the categories unticked.
• Invite-only number: tick all five categories and list every allowed caller on the Allow List.
• Play a message to spam callers: set the block route to Announcements and pick a recorded announcement.

Spam SMS

Call Guard only filters voice calls. To block spam SMS, open Products > SMS Center > Configuration > Inbound Blocking.

If a caller is still blocked

Check that the caller ID is in international format, that it is not on the Allow List, and that Block Invalid Numbers is not catching an internal trunk call. If it is still unexplained, email helpdesk@crazytel.com.au with the subject "Call Guard - Support Request", the number, the test caller ID, and the approximate test time. You can also call 1800 272 998.