How to Verify an Email — The Complete Anti-Phishing Guide
Phishing is the #1 cyber threat in 2026. Learn how to verify an email's authenticity, detect suspicious links, and protect your personal data.
1. Check the sender
The first step is to examine the full email address, not just the display name. Scammers use slightly modified addresses:
To see the full address in Gmail, click the arrow next to the sender name. In Outlook, double-click the email to open the full window.
2. Check links without clicking
On desktop, hover your mouse over the link without clicking. The real URL appears at the bottom of the browser. On mobile, long-press the link to see a preview.
Examples of suspicious links
- https://amazon-security-verify.com (fake domain)
- https://amazon.com.login-verification.net (misleading subdomain)
- https://bit.ly/3xxXXX (shortener hiding the real URL)
- https://192.168.1.1 (IP address instead of a domain)
3. Check attachments
Attachments are a major malware vector. Be wary of:
4. Check if your email was leaked
Free services let you know if your email address was compromised in a data breach:
Have I Been Pwned
The largest breach database. Enter your email to see if it has been compromised.
Clairmo
Verify your email and discover public profiles, leaks, and associated DNS configurations.
5. The 5 most common email scams
1. Fake delivery
You receive an email or SMS announcing a package awaiting delivery. A fraudulent link steals your bank details under the guise of delivery fees.
2. Bank phishing
An email pretending to be your bank alerts you to a suspicious transaction. The link leads to a phishing site that perfectly copies your bank's interface.
3. Subscription renewal
Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify: your subscription is about to expire. Click to update your details. The link leads to a fraudulent site.
4. Fake invoice
You receive an invoice for a purchase you did not make. The attachment contains ransomware.
5. Spear phishing
Ultra-personalized email using your real information (name, company, colleagues) obtained from LinkedIn or a data breach.
6. Free verification tools
Header analysis
Analyze full email headers to verify the sending server and detect spoofing.
DNS check
Verify SPF, DMARC, and DKIM records of the sender domain.
Link analysis
Check a URL's reputation before clicking with VirusTotal or URLVoid.
Fraudulent emails — Frequently asked questions
Check the sender's full email address, hover over links without clicking, watch for spelling errors, and be wary of urgent requests. Never share banking details or codes by email.
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Clairmo analyzes DNS validity, data breaches, and public profiles associated with any email address.
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