The fax machine at the destination number answers and the document is transmitted over a telephone call. When you use a standard fax machine, that fax machine places a phone call to the number you specify. Fax machines are all connected to the plain old telephone lines. How Fax Machines Work (and Why They’re So Inconvenient) With this process, you can digitally sign a document and fax it to a business - all on your computer and without any printing required. We’ve previously covered ways to electronically sign documents without printing and scanning them. If you are forced to send a fax, you can do it from your computer for free. Some slow-moving businesses and government agencies may not accept documents over email, forcing you to fax them in.