Is that email for real? Here’s how to find out
Have you ever gotten an email that just didn’t feel right? Maybe the sender’s address looked a little off, or you weren’t sure if it was even real. What if we told you there’s actually a way to check? Keep reading to find out how to check if an email is real and a few simple ways to spot fake ones before they fool you.
In this blog post…
✓ What is email verification?
✓ Why is it important to verify an email address?
✓ How to check if an email is valid?
✓ What is an email verifier/validator?
✓ Tips to avoid fake emails
What is email verification?
Email verification is simply the process of checking whether an email address is real and active. It helps confirm that the address exists, can receive messages, and isn’t fake or mistyped. In other words, it’s a quick way to make sure you’re reaching, or hearing from, a real person.Why should you verify an email address?
Email verification matters more than most people realize. It helps you avoid sending messages to fake or inactive addresses, which can hurt your reputation or fill your inbox with bounce-backs. Too many failed sends can hurt your sender reputation and make even legitimate emails end up in spam.And on the flip side, verifying the email address protects you from scams or phishing attempts that use fake email addresses to look legitimate. For example, scammers often create fake addresses that look almost identical to real ones, like a message pretending to be from your bank or a delivery service asking you to “verify your account” or “reschedule a package.” So, a quick check can go a long way!
How can you check if an email address is valid?
There are quite a few practical ways to check the validity of an email address. And if you’re wondering whether there’s a way to verify one without sending an email, don’t worry; most of these don’t!- Check the email address: Make sure it looks right and doesn’t contain typos or strange characters.
- Look up the domain: The part after the “@” should belong to a real website, like “mail.com”. If the domain doesn’t exist, the email won’t either.
- Search the address online: Try a quick Google or social media search to see if it’s linked to any real profiles or companies.
- Send a test email: This one might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but if you’re unsure whether an email still belongs to someone you know, send a short, polite message to see if it goes through. Just avoid sharing personal details until you’re sure the address is theirs
What is an email verifier?
An email verifier (also called an email validator) is a tool that automatically checks whether an email address is real, active, and safe to contact. Instead of manually looking up domains or sending test messages, an email verification tool can do the hard work for you.There are several free, reliable tools that can do this automatically, such as Verifalia, NeverBounce, and Email Hippo. They’re commonly used by businesses to keep mailing lists clean and accurate, but anyone can use them to make sure an address is real before hitting “send.”
Tips to avoid fake/scam emails
With Black Friday coming up, your inbox is probably filling up with discount codes, special offers, and “too good to be true” deals. Unfortunately, scammers know this too, and it’s their favorite time to strike. Here’s how to stay safe when the fake email sales start rolling in:- Check the sender: Make sure the email really comes from the brand it claims to be. Watch out for tiny changes in the address, like @amazzon.com instead of @amazon.com.
- Think before you click: Hover over links to see where they actually lead. If a deal looks suspicious or overly urgent, it probably is.
- Avoid entering personal details: Legitimate stores won’t ask for passwords, payment info, or account logins by email.
- Go directly to the website: Instead of clicking on a promo link, type the retailer’s official web address into your browser.
- Use spam filters and antivirus protection: They can help flag or block suspicious messages before you even see them.
For a deeper dive on phishing links, check out this post: What does a phishing link look like? How to check links safely.
Email verification doesn’t have to be complicated. A few quick checks or a reliable verification tool can help you confirm whether an address is real, avoid unnecessary bounce-backs, and protect yourself from potential scams. Trust your instincts, take a moment to verify anything that seems unusual, and stay cautious when dealing with unexpected messages. A little attention now can save you a lot of trouble later.
FAQ: Checking/verifying an email address
Not sure if an email address is real or who’s behind it? Here are quick answers to the most common questions people have about checking and verifying email addresses:
Is there a free way to look up an email address?
Yes, there are several free ways to look up an email address and check whether it’s real. You can start with simple methods like searching the address on Google or social media to see if it’s linked to a legitimate profile. You can also use free email verification tools such as Verifalia, NeverBounce, or Email Hippo, which quickly check if the address is active and safe to contact.
How do I check who an email address belongs to?
You can search the email address online to see if it’s connected to any real profiles, websites, or companies. Checking the domain name and looking for inconsistencies can also help you determine whether the sender is legitimate.
Is there a way to verify an email address without sending an email?
Yes, email verification tools can validate an address without sending a message by checking if it exists and can receive mail. You can also inspect the address manually for typos or verify that the domain is real and active.
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