How to Verify If an Email Address Is Valid

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Email accounts receive high amounts of spam messages each day, many of which are from fake email addresses. There are a number of ways that you can check to see if the email address is valid, if you want to respond to a message. It is a good idea to use caution when responding to any potentially fraudulent email. You can learn how to verify if an email address is valid using online tools.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Send Email

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    • Do not plug in your personal data. In this case, you are trying to create a secure email address where you can test email addresses without giving potential scammers your personal email address.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the button to write a new message.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-3-Version-5.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-3-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Add a subject and a simple message, like "Hello," if you choose.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Wait several minutes to 1 day to see if the email bounces back as undeliverable.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Check Address Location

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Choose "View Message Source" You may simply need to click on an arrow below the email address that shows all the sender details.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It usually says "Received from" in front of this code that includes a series of 4 numbers with periods separating them. Look for something like "98.34.56.4."
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-9-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-9-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-9-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-9-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-11-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-11-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-11-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-11-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can choose to run the trace by proxy with your computer or through the host site.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-12-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-12-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-12-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-12-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If it is not localized to your country, and you do not know anyone from the country, it is likely to be a company or potential scam email.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

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  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-14-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-14-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-14-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-14-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to http://verify-email.org.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-15-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-15-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-15-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-15-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-16-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-16-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-16-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-16-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-17-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-17-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-17-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-17-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It should say "Result: OK." if the email address if valid.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Internet Search

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/73\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-18-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-18-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/73\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-18-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-18-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Wait to see if any results pop up. If the email is associated with a social media account or website, it is likely to be valid.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-19-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-19-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-19-Version-4.jpg\/aid2850884-v4-728px-Verify-If-an-Email-Address-Is-Valid-Step-19-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to the search bar at the top.
    • Paste in the email address. Click on the magnifying glass. Look for any Facebook accounts that are associated with that email address. If you find one, it is likely to be valid.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Non-personal email address
      • IP address
      • Visual Trace Route Tool
      • Email verifier website
      • Search engine query
      • Facebook account

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      References

      1. http://www.labnol.org/software/verify-email-address/18220/
      2. http://www.labnol.org/internet/find-person-by-email-address/13913/
      3. http://www.yougetsignal.com/tools/visual-tracert/

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