Circular call forwarding loops are prevented for a communications unit (12) capable of operating in a first communications network (14) and a second communications network (16) within a loosely coupled network (16), and respectively having a first network number and a second network number, as well as a first network voice mail. A call directed to the first network number (50) of the communications unit is forwarded to the second network number (52) of the communications unit when the communications unit is not operating in the first network. A first network voice mail number (P3) may be associated with calls so that calls are forwarded directly to the first network voice mail (56) when received again at the first network (54). Alternatively, if a call is subsequently received from the second communications network, and data of the subsequently received call matches data of the initial call, or if call forwarding indicia associated with the forwarded call is also associated with the subsequent call, the subsequent call is then forwarded to the first network voice mail of the communications unit.