There are a few different ways to receive a fax depending on the type of hardware and software you have available to you. The simplest method is to own a fax machine that is connected to an appropriate data line, such as a phone line, and have the sender user that number. You can also use software to allow your computer to receive a fax that is then displayed on your monitor. Certain companies provide fax services that you can use by traveling to their location and using their phone number to receive a fax at their machine.
If you have a facsimile or fax machine, then you can simply use that device to receive a fax. A fax machine signal is typically sent through a phone line, and by using data broadcasting, a document can effectively be sent through the line to be printed out on your end. It is very simple for you to receive a fax if you have a machine that is connected to a phone line. Simply instruct someone to call your number on their machine and send a message, which is received by your machine and then printed out appropriately.
You can also receive a fax through your computer, though this can be slightly more complicated and often requires the use of additional software. There are a number of programs and online services that you can use for this, which allow your computer to accept and read data sent by a fax machine. You can then receive a fax by instructing someone to transmit from a machine using the appropriate number for the program or website that you use. Once the transmission is received, you should be able to view the document on your computer and use a printer to make a hard copy of it.
If neither of these options works for your situation, then consider using a third-party to allow you to receive a fax. Certain businesses, usually those that assist with printing copies or shipping packages, provide a fax machine for customers to use for sending and receiving messages. This may not be a free service, so it can be important to ask about potential charges prior to receiving your fax. While not the most convenient option available, using a third-party provider is cheaper than purchasing your own fax machine or using an online service if you only need to receive one or two messages.