Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing a temporary telephone number for a telephone having a directory number. Upon receiving a call request including a called number, the communication system determines if the called number is a temporary telephone number. If the called number is a temporary telephone number, the communication system determines the directory number of a phone associated with the called number. The communication system then routes the call to the phone, preferably by using the directory number of the called phone. When finished using the temporary telephone number, the communication system returns the temporary phone number to a pool to be used again by a different user as a temporary telephone number.