how to report the unauthorized activity without the transaction ID?

[cckluke]

I have not registered for pay-pal account before 21/12/2021.  I received a SMS on 21/12/2021 afternoon, it informed me a pay-pal transaction was done without my authorization.  Then I registered a pay-pal account on 22/12/2021.  I tried to find the transaction ID and report the unauthorized activity to customer service but I failed.  No activities are shown in my account.  What should I do next? 

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@cckluke 

If its a spoof then NEVER USE ANY LINK OR ANY PHONE NUMBER.

Firstly if the email/text addressed you as ''Dear Member'' / ''Customer'' / ''Client'' OR your ''email address'' then that confirms its a spoof as paypal would address you by your full name eg Dear John Smith.

Secondly if there was a link OR attachment in that email/text to ''cancel'' any transaction or ''confirm'' any details then again it would be a spoof.

Also if they ask you to call the number in the email then it would be fake paypal agents trying to scam you for money to 'fix' something. 

If there was a problem with your account Paypal would not ask you to click on an unsafe link in an email / download an attachment OR phone them on a number in an email, they would direct you to log in normally and go to the resolution or the message centre for more information.

More info here >>
https://www.paypal.com/us/selfhelp/article/how-to-spot-fake-emails-faq2340/2
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/suspicious-activity

[cckluke]

No, there was no spoof email asking me to do anything.

I received a SMS from my bank account telling me that a pay-pal transaction was done without my authorization.

How to cancel it?