if the company where the transaction was made is not a totally 'corrupt' company, there is usually some information in the transaction details, like a website URL, an email, or phone number. If there is, you can do a lot with that. You can get a hold of them and simply ask them.
If you really don't know, then someone may have fraudulently used your PayPal account, and really the only way to do this is if you have unsecure passwords in BOTH your PayPal account, AND your email account. So, whatever email account is tied to your PayPal account, you should also secure that..change the password, (which you should do AT LEAST once or twice a year for all email accounts anyway!) and turn on 2-step verification for the email address that is attached to your PayPal account. (I use 1 email address for ALL internet related traffic, website subscriptions, including PP and banking, and I tighten that one down)
Also check your PayPal and banking notifications. (There is NO WAY IN HECK a transaction would hit ANY of my accounts, and I wouldn't know about it in 5 minutes...before it even posts at the very least) ...so check your notifications, and make SURE they are set up, and that you are getting them, in more than place (both email and phone) if possible.
Other than that, all I can say is there are crooks out there, and they usually find a way. People are usually surprised to find out (when/if they ever do figure how something happened) that it was usually someone they knew if it wasn't an error of their own. Make sure you don't fall prey to any phishing attempts...use good email practices and NEVER CLICK ANY LINKS IN EMAILS! People often think that they are too smart to be phished...but I'm in I.T., and I work with security CONSTANTLY...and "I've" been got...so if they can get me, (and other I.T. professionals, check YouTube) ...then they can get you also if you aren't careful. People see an email they think is from a site they regularly visit because it has their logos and images, and they usually don't think twice before they click the link, go a site that looks just like the one they went to last time, but it wasn't...there was 1 or 2 letters different in the URL, and it was just a good fake. Hacking and Malware and phishing attempts have climbed over 50% since covid-19. These guys have been locked down in other countries (much worse than the U.S.) ...and they have had nothing better to do than to be creative with their hacking and phishing attempts. Some of them are QUITE good, trust me.
I have some good articles on my blog here: https://www.everythingit.us/?s=phishing
But I think this was one of the better articles: https://www.everythingit.us/phishing-sites-that-look-real-stay-away/ It kind of clues you in to how "real" a website can look if you aren't always on the alert. 🙂
Anyway, bottom line, it happens. Not often, but it does. (I usually get scammed at least once a year...roughly) ...some box that was checked by default and I missed it, some link I shouldn't have clicked and I know I knew better...something. Best thing is to not beat yourself up over it, examine your security, and move on with your day and don't give these guys too much of your sleep. 🙂
