To access the Call Blocking screen, click Privacy on the left navigation panel:
and then click Call Blocking to access the Call Blocking screen:
How call blocking works
The Call Blocking screen configures how PhoneTray blocks specific caller types, for example, calls that are displayed as Out of Area instead of caller's number or calls from toll-free numbers.

PhoneTray blocks incoming calls by answering the call and playing a message to the caller. We call it 'zapping'. PhoneTray blocks unwanted calls after the first ring. PhoneTray comes with several useful zap messages. In addition you can record your own messages or use any audio files from the Internet. Some of the zap messages included with PhoneTray contain phone company recordings for disconnected numbers (Disconnected.wav), circuits busy (CircuitsBusy.wav) and so on. After hearing such messages most robocallers will stop calling your number after a few calls. You can also play messages containing busy signal (Busy.wav or FastBusy.wav) or long rings (Rings.wav) to thwart telemarketers or other unwanted callers.
Tip:
PhoneTray doesn't block calls from your contacts or numbers on your white list.
PhoneTray allows you to select a zap message using the message selection box:
Click the button to open the folder with the zap messages that are included with PhoneTray. You can also double-click on the message selection box to select an audio file. Click the Clear
button to clear selection. Click the Play
button to play the selected audio file.
Please refer to the list of zap messages that are included with PhoneTray Pro.
Tip:
You can select any custom audio file to zap unwanted calls. If you are going to use your custom audio files often, you can copy your files to Program Files (or Program Files (x86)) -> PhoneTray -> Zap Messages folder for faster selection.
Call blocking settings
Block calls from numbers and names on your black list
Check this box to block calls from numbers and names on your black list:
This box is selected by default. Uncheck this box if you want to temporary disable your black list. Use message selection dialog to select the default zap message for callers on your black list. If you want to assign a custom zap message to selected callers, go to the Privacy - Black List screen.
Tip:
The zap message selected for numbers on your black list is also used when you manually zap a call by clicking the Zap button on the tray call alert.
Warning:
If 'Block calls from numbers on your black list' is unchecked, your black list is disabled and PhoneTray will not block calls from numbers on your black list.
Block calls from known telemarketers in PhoneTray online anti-spam database
Check this box to block calls from known telemarketers found in PhoneTray online anti-spam database:
PhoneTray online anti-spam database contains thousands of telemarketer numbers reported by PhoneTray users over the years. This box is selected by default. Use message selection dialog to select a zap message that will be played to blocked callers.
Warning:
Access to online anti-spam database requires an active PhoneTray subscription. Subscription to PhoneTray updates and access to online anti-spam database costs only $9.99 per year. First year of subscription is included with your PhoneTray purchase.
Block calls from private / blocked numbers
Check this box to block calls from private / blocked numbers:
When a caller blocks his / her number, the call is displayed with 'Private' in the number field instead of the caller's number. Use this option to block such calls. This option also blocks calls that show 'Withheld' or 'Blocked' in the number field.
Block calls from 'Out of Area' callers
Check this box to block calls from 'Out of Area' callers:
Many telemarketing calls do not show the caller's number. 'Out of Area' is displayed in the number field instead of the caller's number for such calls. This option allows you to block such calls. This option does not apply to calls that are displayed with proper caller's number and 'Out of Area' in the name field.
Block calls from toll-free numbers
Check this box to block calls from toll-free numbers:
For US and Canada, toll-free numbers are numbers in 800, 888, 877, 866, 855 and 844 area codes.
Block calls that are displayed with empty caller's number
Check this box to block calls that are displayed with an empty number field:
If your modem can't decode Caller ID signal for a call, PhoneTray shows that call with an empty number field.
Warning:
If your modem sometimes shows empty numbers for legitimate calls because it doesn't decode Caller ID properly every time, please do not check this option. Otherwise some legitimate callers might be blocked.
Block long-distance numbers
Check this box to block long-distance numbers:
Calls from your area code and additional local area codes specified on the Settings - Lines screen are considered local. Calls from all other area codes are considered to be long-distance calls and will be blocked if this option is selected.
Tip:
This option doesn't apply to calls from toll-free area codes.
Block local calls
Check this box to block local calls:
Tip:
You can block all calls and allow only your contacts and numbers on your white list to ring through. To do that, check the following boxes:
Block Calls from numbers on your black list
Block Calls from telemarketers in PhoneTray online anti-spam database
Block Calls from Private / Blocked Numbers
Block Calls that show 'Out of Area' instead of caller's number
Block Calls from toll-free numbers
Block long-distance calls
Block local calls
Tip:
White list contains numbers that can ring through even if the number category is blocked per your privacy settings. For example, if you blocked all calls from toll-free numbers on the Call Blocking screen, you can add toll-free number of your local bank to the white list and calls from that number will ring through.
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