Sounds dramatic? It indeed is.
The risks are real, and ignoring them could cost you more than just a few email bounces.
Check out how to identify phishing emails and get rid of their senders from your email address lists:
What are phishing emails?
Phishing emails are deceptive messages that trick you into revealing sensitive information, like passwords or financial details.
They often look like they’re from a trusted source – a bank, a popular retailer, or even your email service provider. But their goal is simple: to steal your data.
For example, you might get an email asking you to “verify your email address” or warning you about “suspicious activity on your account.”
These often include fake links that lead to malicious websites. Some even target disposable email addresses or temporary accounts to bypass basic email verification systems.
Why are phishing emails dangerous?
Let’s look at why phishing emails pose a threat to you and your business:
#1 Phishing attacks can affect any company or company department
Phishing emails are more than annoying – they’re a real threat to your business and data.
These attacks can target anyone in a company, but finance teams top the list at 57%.
Even CEOs and IT departments aren’t spared, with 22% and 20% of spear-phishing attempts aimed at them.
It’s a problem that doesn’t discriminate across roles, making every department vulnerable.
#2 Phishing attacks are getting more frequent
Over the past year, 51% of organizations reported an increase in these scams, with 39% dealing with them weekly.
A fake address, an invalid email address, and even a disposable email address can all be used to trick systems, slipping through unless proper verification tools catch them.
#3 Not all organizations and employees are prepared to handle a cyber-attack
The real kicker? Not every company is ready to face this challenge.
While 69% believe they’re prepared for a cyberattack, only 71% think their employees can spot phishing emails.
That leaves a gap for attackers to exploit. Tools like a free email verification tool or mail server checks to verify email addresses can help.
Spotting disposable or temporary email addresses and filtering out invalid ones keeps your inbox – and your business – a little safer.
How to spot phishing emails? Examples and best practices
Phishing emails are sneaky, but with the right tricks, you can catch them before they cause harm. Here’s how to stay ahead of the game:
#1 Look for suspicious email addresses
Start with the sender.
Does the email come from a valid address? Phishing emails often use addresses that look almost right but have minor tweaks, like extra characters or a misspelled domain.
Use a tool to verify email addresses if something feels off (more on that later).
Example:
#2 Watch for fake links
Hover over links before clicking. Do they lead to a valid address or a shady website? Phishing emails hide malicious links behind official-looking text like “Verify Your Account.”
If the link doesn’t match the sender’s mail server, it’s a red flag.
Example:
#3 Check for generic greetings
Phishing emails often open with “Dear User” or “Valued User” instead of your name.
Legitimate senders with access to valid email addresses usually personalize their messages.
Source: private
#4 Look out for urgency or threats
Scammers want you to act fast, so they’ll claim your account will be suspended, or you’ll lose access unless you respond immediately.
Take a breath, and don’t let their scare tactics push you into clicking.
#5 Be wary of attachments
Think twice before downloading attachments, especially from unknown senders. Phishing emails may include files designed to infect your device with malware.
Temporary email addresses are often used to send these harmful messages.
Source: private
#6 Inspect grammar and spelling
Poor grammar or awkward wording is a giveaway.
Professional companies proofread their messages, so errors might signal a fake.
#7 Use email verification tools
Protect yourself by verifying senders with an email verification tool. These tools detect temporary email addresses or invalid ones, saving you from interacting with phishing attempts.
You can keep your inbox safe from phishing scams by staying alert to these signs and double-checking questionable emails. Always remember to verify before you trust.
Why you should avoid sending to phishing emails
Sending emails to phishing addresses is a recipe for trouble. These emails aren’t just a dead end -they’re a ticking time bomb for your sender reputation.
Hitting those addresses can:
- tank your deliverability,
- nosedive your engagement rates,
- and leave your open rates gasping for air.
Worse, it could land your domain on blocklists, putting a target on your back for ISPs.
That’s where Bouncer – a phishing email checker – steps in.
First of all, why use an email checker?
Tools like a free email address verifier or a free email checker can help spot invalid addresses and identify when an email address exists or is tied to fake or disposable accounts.
They improve email deliverability and protect your sender reputation by filtering out invalid addresses and catching fake ones before they cause problems.
Whether you’re managing customer data or relying on an email verifier service, it’s smart to take a few steps to avoid phishing schemes.
Second of all, why Bouncer?
Bouncer‘s email verification tools help you sidestep this mess entirely.
With features like real-time validation, toxic email detection, and catch-all verification, you’ll know precisely who’s safe to reach out to and who’s not.
Don’t gamble with your campaigns – clean your list and keep your emails landing where they belong: the inbox. Sign up and get 100 free credits now.
