A method of communicating through facsimiles is disclosed. The method starts by receiving a message and a destination facsimile number from a first user. A unique reply number is allocated and recorded in a pending reply list. The message and the reply number is then transmitted to the destination facsimile number. Upon receipt of a received facsimile and a received reply number addressed to the first user, it is determining whether the received reply number matches an entry in the pending reply list. The received facsimile is delivered only if a match is found. The reply number is also removed from the pending reply list.