Detect disposable email addresses to prevent fraud

Detect disposable email addresses to prevent fraud  (DEAs) are one-time email addresses that do not forward mail or have strict limitations on usage, making them easy to use and hard to track. People use them for various reasons, including to sign up for mailing lists or one-time activities like commenting on blogs.

However, they are also used by malicious users as untraceable contact points in fraudulent and illicit activities. They allow users to bypass verification links, evade subscription limits and manipulate referral programs at scale.

It is important for web developers to understand how to identify and block disposable email addresses in order to protect the integrity of their sites. There are a number of ways to do this, but the most effective is to use real-time email validation that includes DEA detection. These services can be integrated into contact and sign-up forms, to check emails before they are sent or during a bulk hygiene request.

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Detecting DEAs requires looking at the whole email address and not just the domain. This includes checking if the email has a history, a previous email address associated with it, or a known online presence. It also means examining the email string, looking for shortened words, randomized characters and placeholders that could indicate a DEA.

Keeping up to date with the dozens of new disposable email domains and providers is a difficult task for companies alone. However, there are many online services that specialize in detecting DEAs and can help with this. Some services such as Kickbox provide a free, open API that can be integrated into any platform to check for DEAs at the point of entry or signup.