Trend Micro</a></em></p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-65945","data":{"text":"<p>Have you noticed a strange transaction on your bank statement listed as &ldquo;Web PayPal Prenote&rdquo; and have no idea why it has appeared? If so, it&rsquo;s possible that your banking credentials have been compromised and are in the hands of scammers. Don&rsquo;t panic, however, but keep on reading to learn how this &ldquo;Web PayPal Prenote&rdquo; scam works and how you can protect yourself.</p>\r\n<h2>How Do Web PayPal Prenote Scams Work?</h2>\r\n<p>First of all, if you believe you may be the victim of this scam, you&rsquo;re not the only one &mdash; many people have taken to social media to say they&rsquo;ve also seen unusual PayPal transactions on their bank statements</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-65958","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/webly-2-d07cf.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-65960","data":{"text":"<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">Source: Twitter</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-65973","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/webly-3-01dd4.png_900x.png"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-65975","data":{"text":"<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">Source: Facebook</p>\r\n<p>To pull off these scams, scammers are creating PayPal accounts and linking them to victims&rsquo; leaked banking information. Once payment information has been linked to an account, the scammers will normally make several test withdrawals &mdash; these appear as &ldquo;Web PayPal Prenote&rdquo; on the victims&rsquo; bank statements.</p>\r\n<p>The test withdrawals will often be for $0, but they may be as much as a few dollars. What the scammers are doing by making these small withdrawals, is they are testing the legitimacy of the leaked banking information, and also hoping to not arouse too much suspicion. After all, it&rsquo;s tough to get too concerned about a transaction for $0, even if you don&rsquo;t recognize it.</p>\r\n<p>However, once the scammers are sure the leaked banking credentials are legitimate and PayPal seems to be letting the withdrawals go through without issue, they will begin to make much larger withdrawals, potentially completely emptying victims&rsquo; bank accounts in the process!</p>\r\n<h2>How to Stay Protected</h2>\r\n<p>If you&rsquo;ve noticed unusual &ldquo;Web PayPal Prenote&rdquo; transactions on your bank statement, the first thing you need to do is contact your bank. However, please be aware that you may end up having to close your account and set up another because once data is compromised, it&rsquo;s compromised forever.</p>\r\n<p>These types of scams really highlight how dangerous and costly it can be to have your personal and financial information leaked. It&rsquo;s not always possible to trace the origin of a leak, but compromised data is often shared by cybercriminals on the dark web and underground web forums. And this is where <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=eccbc&amp;source=scamadviser&amp;utm_content=web-paypal-prenote-scam-to-stay-safe\%22>Trend Micro ID Security</a> comes into play.</p>\r\n<p>Available for Android and iOS, <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=eccbc&amp;source=scamadviser&amp;utm_content=web-paypal-prenote-scam-to-stay-safe\%22>Trend Micro ID Security</a> can scan the internet and the dark web 24/7 for your personal information &mdash; bank account numbers, credit card numbers, your Social Security number, and lots more! If your data is leaked, you&rsquo;re notified immediately so you can take the appropriate action. If your information is out there, with <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=eccbc&amp;source=scamadviser&amp;utm_content=web-paypal-prenote-scam-to-stay-safe\%22>Trend Micro ID Security</a>, you&rsquo;ll be the first to know!</p>\r\n<p>Click the button below to learn more about <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=eccbc&amp;source=scamadviser&amp;utm_content=web-paypal-prenote-scam-to-stay-safe\%22>Trend Micro ID Security</a> and claim your <strong>FREE 30-DAY TRIAL</strong> today!</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Button","_identifier":"block-65988","data":{"text":"Get Trend Micro ID Security","link":"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=eccbc&source=scamadviser&utm_content=web-paypal-prenote-scam-to-stay-safe"}}],"sidebarBlocks":[{"_template":"Small\\Content\\Cta","_identifier":"block-157084","data":{"title":"Report a Scam!","consumer":null,"description":"Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!","image":"https://files.scamadviser.com/thumbs/tell-your-story-8910e.png_200x200.png","button":"Report a Scam!","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/leave-review"}},{"_template":"Small\\Content\\Taxonomy","_identifier":"block-157123","data":{"title":"Scam Categories","taxonomies":[{"id":7,"name":"Scam Alerts (1025)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-alerts"},{"id":6,"name":"Scam Trends (372)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-trends"},{"id":8,"name":"Global Scam Country Guide (44)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/global-scam-country-guide"},{"id":87,"name":"Product Reviews (43)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/product-reviews"},{"id":88,"name":"Fact Check (43)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/fact-check"},{"id":3,"name":"News about Scamadviser (42)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/news-about-scamadviser"},{"id":5,"name":"Reliable Sites (37)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/reliable-sites"},{"id":1,"name":"Tips & Support (32)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/tips-support"},{"id":2,"name":"Research & Reports (26)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/research-reports"},{"id":4,"name":"Advice for Companies (2)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/advice-for-companies"}]}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-59407","data":{"align":"left","text":"Help & Info","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157795","data":{"articles":[{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157824","data":{"title":"Scam Alerts","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-alerts","icon":"fa-exclamation-triangle","bgImage":"https://files.scamadviser.com/uploads/img-scam-alert-f348b.svg"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157839","data":{"title":"Learn Scams","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-trends","icon":"fa-tags","bgImage":"https://files.scamadviser.com/uploads/img-learn-scam-737a6.svg"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157854","data":{"title":"Reliable Sites","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/reliable-sites","icon":"fa-check-circle","bgImage":"https://files.scamadviser.com/uploads/img-website-213fb.svg"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157869","data":{"title":"Advices","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/advice-for-companies","icon":"fa-comment","bgImage":"https://files.scamadviser.com/uploads/img-advice-f32d8.svg"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157884","data":{"title":"Studies","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/research-reports","icon":"fa-search","bgImage":"https://files.scamadviser.com/uploads/img-report-ebc61.svg"}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-161131","data":{"title":"Global Scams","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/global-scam-country-guide","icon":"fa-globe","bgImage":"https://files.scamadviser.com/uploads/img-global-scam-005ad.svg"}}],"buttonText":"See all","buttonLink":"https://www.scamadviser.com/help-info"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-167997","data":{"align":"left","text":"Top Safety Picks","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Lists","_identifier":"block-167811","data":{"heading":"Your Go-To Tools for Online Safety","hint":"Disclaimer: Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.","description":null,"listItems":[{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-167891","data":{"title":"ScamAdviser App - iOS","titleUrl":"https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scamadviser/id6480509109","linkTarget":"1","text":"Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on iOS"}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-167944","data":{"title":"ScamAdviser App - Android","titleUrl":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tech.scamadviser","linkTarget":"1","text":"Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on Android."}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-169734","data":{"title":"NordVPN","titleUrl":"http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101566658-13382109","linkTarget":"1","text":"NordVPN keeps your connection private and secure whether you are at home, traveling, or streaming from another country. It protects your data, blocks unwanted ads and trackers, and helps you access your paid subscriptions anywhere. Try it Today!"}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-171573","data":{"title":"Incogni","titleUrl":"http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101566658-15718702","linkTarget":"1","text":"Incogni automatically removes your personal data from data brokers that trade in personal information online, helping reduce scam and identity theft risks without the hassle of manual opt-outs. Reclaim your privacy now!"}}]}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-59517","data":{"align":"left","text":"Popular Stories","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Blogs","_identifier":"block-59530","data":{"items":[{"id":1406,"title":"7 Best VPN Services for Security, Speed, and Privacy","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/7-best-vpn-services-for-security-speed-and-privacy","excerpt":"In a nutshell: A good VPN protects your privacy with strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and fast protocols like WireGuard. The best VPNs also offer wide server coverage, leak protection, and easy-to-use apps for all devices. For 2025, the top providers are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and Mullvad—each excelling in speed, security, or value.\r\n\r\nIn an age where every click is tracked, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is no longer just a luxury—it's an essential tool for digital privacy and security. A VPN works by creating a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, masking your real IP address and protecting your sensitive data from prying eyes.\r\nBut with hundreds of providers out there, how do you sort the secure from the suspect? This guide breaks down the non-negotiable features of a quality VPN and highlights the 7 top-rated services for 2025.\r\nWhat to Look for in a Good VPN: The 4 Non-Negotiable Pillars\r\n1. Ironclad Security Features\r\n\r\nStrong Encryption: AES-256, the gold standard.\r\nSecure Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, NordLynx, Lightway. Avoid PPTP.\r\nKill Switch: Ensures no accidental IP leaks.\r\nLeak Protection: Covers DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC.\r\n\r\n2. Verified Privacy Practices\r\n\r\nNo-Logs Policy: No activity or metadata tracking.\r\nIndependent Audits: Verification by third parties.\r\nSafe Jurisdiction: Prefer countries outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances.\r\n\r\n3. High-Speed Performance\r\n\r\nFast Protocols: WireGuard and equivalents.\r\nLarge Server Network: Less crowding, more reliable speeds.\r\n\r\n4. Essential Usability Features\r\n\r\nMulti-Device Apps: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, routers.\r\nSimultaneous Connections: One account, many devices.\r\nUnblocking Power: Netflix, Hulu, BBC ","buttonText":"Read more","renderAsInertiaLink":false},{"id":1475,"title":"Data Breach Victim? Your Emergency Action Plan Starts Now","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/data-breach-victim-your-emergency-action-plan-starts-now","excerpt":"How to Protect Yourself and Your Family After a Data Breach\r\nWhen Your Data Falls Into the Wrong Hands\r\nJust received that terrifying notification? Or perhaps you've noticed suspicious activity in your accounts? Take a deep breath. A data breach, the unauthorized access or exposure of sensitive, protected, or confidential data, is a deeply unsettling event. It can plunge you into a world of worry, bringing risks from financial losses and identity theft to significant emotional distress and reputational damage.\r\nThe numbers don't lie: according to a 2024 report, the number of data breach victim notices has grown by a staggering 211% year-over-year. This isn't just a distant threat; it's a stark reality many individuals face. This year alone, we've seen major organizations like Adidas and Qantas grapple with high-profile data breaches, affecting countless customers. This underscores a critical truth: nobody is untouchable. Subsequently, strategic action is the only way to minimize the risk and protect your future.\r\nThis guide is your emergency action plan, designed to walk you through every crucial step—from confirming the breach to fortifying your digital life for the long term.\r\nPart 1: Confirming the Breach and Understanding the Damage\r\nThe very first step is to answer the question definitively: Was my data compromised, and if so, how badly?\r\nStart with the basics:\r\n\r\nCheck Official NotificationsReputable companies are legally obligated to inform you if your data was part of a breach. Look for official emails, letters, or public announcements.\r\nCheck Verified Breach DatabasesPlatforms like HaveIBeenPwned help you see if","buttonText":"Read more","renderAsInertiaLink":false}]}}],"meta":{"title":"Web PayPal Prenote Scam — How to Stay Safe","description":"Have you noticed a strange transaction on your bank statement listed as “Web PayPal Prenote” and have no idea why it has appeared? If so, it’s possible that your banking credentials have been compromised and are in the hands of scammers","canonical":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/web-paypal-prenote-scam-how-to-stay-safe","alternates":[{"language":"x-default","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/web-paypal-prenote-scam-how-to-stay-safe"},{"language":"nl","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/nl/articles/web-paypal-prenote-scam-hoe-veilig-te-blijven"},{"language":"pt","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/pt/articles/fraude-de-pre-nota-da-web-do-paypal-como-se-manter-seguro"},{"language":"es","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/es/articles/web-paypal-prenote-estafa-como-mantenerse-a-salvo"},{"language":"de","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/de/articles/web-paypal-prenote-scam-wie-sie-sich-schuetzen-koennen"},{"language":"fr","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/fr/articles/web-paypal-prenote-scam-comment-rester-en-securite"},{"language":"it","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/it/articles/truffa-web-paypal-prenote-come-rimanere-al-sicuro"},{"language":"uk","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/uk/articles/shakhraystvo-z-prenotamy-cherez-paypal-iak-zalyshytysia-v-bezpetsi"},{"language":"ro","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/ro/articles/web-paypal-prenote-scam-cum-sa-stai-in-siguranta"},{"language":"ru","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/ru/articles/moshennichestvo-s-ispolzovaniem-web-paypal-prenote-kak-obezopasit-sebya"},{"language":"zh","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/zh/articles/wang-luo-bei-bao-yu-fu-kuan-pian-ju-ru-he-bao-chi-an-quan"},{"language":"tc","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/tc/articles"},{"language":"ja","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/jp/articles/web-paypal-purenotozha-qi-an-quan-woque-bao-surufang-fa"}]},"language":"en","head":[],"pendingCookieConsent":false,"isHomePage":false,"navigation":{"items":{"data":[{"id":1082,"name":"Report 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