Inboxes receive tons of unwanted messages every day, many of them from fake addresses. In case you want to reply to a communication, be aware that there are numerous ways to understand if an e-mail address is valid. Remember that it is always wise to be cautious when replying to a potentially fraudulent message. You can learn how to check the validity of an address using some online tools.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Send a Message
Step 1. Create a free mailbox using services like Windows Live, Google or Yahoo
Do not enter your personal data; in this case, you are creating a secure address to test the recipients of the messages, avoiding giving your personal e-mail to potential scammers
Step 2. Log into your account
Click on the button that allows you to write a new message.
Step 3. Paste the email address you want to verify into the recipient field
Add a subject and simple text, such as "Hello", if you wish.
Step 4. Send the message
Wait several minutes or even up to a day to find out if the email service provider sends you the message that the message cannot be delivered.
Method 2 of 4: Check the Geographic Location
Step 1. Open the message you received from the unverified address
Step 2. Click on "Options" from the sender bar
Step 3. Choose "View Message Source"
In some cases, it is sufficient to click on an arrow located under the sender's address to view the details.
Step 4. Search for an IP address
Typically, you can find a word "Received by" followed by a code that includes a series of four numbers separated by periods; look for something that looks like this: "98.34.56.4".
Step 5. Go to yougetsignal.com/tools/visual-tracert from your browser
Step 6. Copy the IP address
Step 7. Copy it into the text box next to "Remote Address"
You can choose to start tracking based on the proxy server or the host site.
Step 8. Find the geographic point corresponding to the IP address on the map
If it is not in your country and you do not know anyone who lives in the indicated country, it is likely that the message is potentially a scam or is from advertising.
Method 3 of 4: Verify Internet Sites
Step 1. Copy the email address you want to verify
Step 2. Go to https://verify-email.org page
Step 3. Paste the address into the blank box
Step 4. Click on "Verify"
Step 5. Look at the result proposed under the "Verify" button
If you see "OK", the address is valid.
Method 4 of 4: Search Online
Step 1. Type the copied address into the Google search bar
Wait for the results to be shown; if it is associated with some social network profile or some web page account, it is likely to be a valid address.
Step 2. Log into Facebook
Place the cursor on the search bar located at the top.