Abstract: The method of the invention enables an automatic callback to a calling telephone whose caller has left a recorded message. In response to a received call, an identifier of the calling telephone is stored along with the message from the caller. Thereafter, the called party is enabled to play the message left by the caller and is further enabled to enter a callback signal during the playing of the message. This action causes the message playback to be interrupted, the identifier to be recalled from memory and used to automatically place a call to the calling telephone whose message was interrupted.