How do I find out who sent me this email and where they are located?
Kat Asks:
Hi Jack,
I hope you could help me with a question I’m having. I’ve read your article, but I wasn’t able to find an answer to my question.
I have received an email from an email address I am not familiar with, although the content was in personal tone.
I guess that it was sent by a dynamic IP address so I understand I cannot be sure about the person who sent it, but can I be sure about the location?
So, for example I’m seeing that the email has been from New York. Can I be sure that the location is correct?
Response:
Hi Kat,
There are a few things you can do here:
Check the headers:
Ensure the email address is from an actual mailbox, and that it wasn’t spoofed (which can easily be done).
- To check the headers of an email, read https://www.jackcola.org/2013/06/how-to-view-email-headers-in-gmail-hotmail-and-mozilla-thunderbird/
Search for the email address:
If the headers of the email sound legitimate, search to see who actually owns the email address
- Enter the email address on Google
- Enter the email address on Pipl.com and try these sites that are listed here: https://www.jackcola.org/2013/06/how-to-find-people-online/
- Do a search for their email address on Facebook
If you still can’t find who the emails belongs to:
Find the originating IP address of the email (look for the IP address where it says Received: from), and enter the IP address into lookup services like http://www.yougetsignal.com/tools/network-location/
Though, in doing so, you won’t find the location of the person using the IP address, but more the person who owns the IP address.
I hope this gives you something to look into.
Regards,
Jack Cola
https://www.jackcola.org
