Welcome to Spring 2026!

Week 10: Digital Shopping

Digital Shopping

How to use Contactless Payment Methods

If you have a credit or debit card, you're probably pretty familiar with the steps needed to use one: Swipe your card, provide a pin number or signature, then accept the transaction.

When you do this, you're using a magnetic strip on the back of the card to send information to the card reader. But in recent years, magnetic strips have proved increasingly vulnerable to attacks from hackers. As a result, many banks, credit card companies, and retailers have started moving toward a different option: contactless payments.

A contactless payment is one you can make without a magnetic strip. Instead, you'll simply hold the card next to the card reader, or insert the card into a special slot at the bottom; it will then transmit the payment information wirelessly. To do this, many new credit and debit cards now include a special chip that uses Near Field Communication—called NFC for short.

As more and more retailers start accepting contactless payments, they're likely to become a new standard that will eventually replace magnetic strips. However, most cards still include a magnetic strip so you can use them at places that don't accept contactless payments.

How secure are contactless payments?

Generally speaking, contactless payments are more secure than magnetic strip payments. That's because it's much harder for hackers to intercept the information that's sent from your card to the card reader. Of course, just like a magnetic strip card, your card could always be lost or stolen, which means someone could use it to make an unauthorized purchase. If you think you've lost your card, be sure to report it immediately to your bank or credit card company.

How to Make a Contactless Payment

Look for the contactless symbol

Check both your card and the payment terminal for the contactless symbol (it looks like curved waves).

Tap or hold your card near the reader
Hold your card close to the symbol on the card reader for a few seconds.
Wait for confirmation
You’ll see or hear a confirmation (a beep, light, or message on the screen). Your payment is complete!
Follow any additional prompts if needed
- For larger purchases, you may be asked to enter your PIN or provide a signature.
- Some machines may ask you to insert your card instead.

Other Contactless Payment Options

You’re not limited to using a physical card—many smartphones can also make contactless payments using apps like:

Apple Pay
Google Pay
PayPal Mobile

These apps use NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, allowing you to pay by simply holding your phone near the card reader.

Good to know:

These options work anywhere you see the contactless symbol.
Your smartphone must have NFC capability (most newer phones do).
Contactless payments are becoming more common and widely accepted.

What is a Digital Wallet? Are they Safe?

How to keep your payment info safe in Google Pay

How safe is Apple Pay?

How To Use Google Pay

How to use Apple Pay

Add a credit card to Apple Pay

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
Tap the Add button (the + sign).
Tap Debit or Credit Card.
Tap Continue.
Add your card in one of these ways:
- Hold your card near the iPhone if prompted, or
- Scan the card with your camera, or
- Tap Enter Card Details Manually and type in the information.
Follow the prompts on the screen.
Verify your card if your bank asks you to. Your bank may send a code, ask for more information, or require approval in its app.
Once approved, your card will be added to Apple Pay.

Before you begin

Make sure you have:

a compatible iPhone with the latest iOS
an Apple Account signed in
Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode turned on
a supported card from a participating bank or card issuer.

Helpful note

If your card does not add successfully, it may not be supported, or your bank may need to approve it first.

After you add the card

To pay in a store, double-click the side button or Home button, authenticate, and hold the top of your iPhone near the contactless reader until you see Done and a checkmark.

Add a Credit Card to Google Pay (Android) 📱

Open the Google Pay app on your phone.
Tap your profile icon (top right corner).
Tap “Wallet” or “Payment methods.”
Tap “Add a card.”
Choose “Credit or debit card.”
Add your card by:
- Scanning it with your camera, or
- Entering the details manually
Tap Save or Continue.
Follow the instructions to verify your card (your bank may send a code).
Once approved, your card is ready to use!

Before You Begin ✔️

Make sure you have:

An Android phone with NFC (tap-to-pay) enabled
A Google account signed in
A supported credit or debit card
A screen lock (PIN, fingerprint, or face unlock)

How to Pay in Stores 💳

Unlock your phone
Hold the back of your phone near the payment reader
Wait for a checkmark or confirmation

That’s it—no need to open the app!

Helpful Tips 💡

You can set a default card for quick payments
Some banks may require extra verification
If it doesn’t work, check that NFC is turned on in your settings

How to Send Money Using Apple Pay 💸📱

Open the Messages app
Apple Pay works directly inside your text messages.
Start or open a conversation
Choose the person you want to send money to.
Tap the Apple Pay button
Look for the Apple Pay icon in the app drawer (above the keyboard).
(If you don’t see it, tap the “+” icon to find it.)
Enter the amount
Type how much money you want to send.
Tap Pay
Review the amount, then tap Pay.
Confirm the payment
Double-click the side button and confirm with:
- Face ID, or
- Touch ID, or
- Your passcode
Send the payment
Tap the send arrow. Your payment is on its way!

What Happens Next? ⏱️

The recipient gets the money in their Apple Cash account
They can:
- Keep it in Apple Pay, or
- Transfer it to their bank (usually 1–3 days)

Before You Begin ✔️

Make sure you have:

An iPhone with Apple Pay set up
A linked debit or credit card
Apple Cash enabled
The person you’re sending money to also uses Apple Pay

Helpful Tips 💡

Sending money with a debit card is usually free
Credit cards may charge a fee (~3%)
Always double-check the recipient before sending
Only send money to people you trust

📱 Step 1: Open Venmo

Launch the Venmo app on your phone
Log in (or sign up if you don’t have an account)

🔍 Step 2: Tap the “Pay/Request” Button

Look for the “Pay/Request” icon (usually a pencil or “+” symbol)

👤 Step 3: Find the Person

Search by:
- Name
- Username
- Phone number
- Email
Or scan their QR code

💵 Step 4: Enter the Amount

Type how much money you want to send
Add a short note (emoji or message—this shows in the feed unless you make it private)

🔒 Step 5: Choose Privacy Setting (Important!)

Tap the privacy option:
- Public 🌍
- Friends 👥
- Private 🔒 (recommended for personal payments)

💳 Step 6: Select Payment Method

Choose where the money comes from:
- Bank account (usually free)
- Debit card
- Credit card (may include a fee)

✅ Step 7: Tap “Pay”

Double-check everything
Tap Pay to send the money instantly

⚠️ Tips to Stay Safe

Only send money to people you know and trust
Payments are usually not reversible
Double-check usernames to avoid scams

How to use Zelle

Zelle is a fast, safe, easy, and contact-free way to send and receive money with friends, family, and others you trust. https://www.zellepay.com/

Links to an external site.

You simply find Zelle in your mobile banking app, add the person you want to send or receive money from and type the amount. If the person is in the Zelle network and their bank supports Zelle, they will get the money within minutes. If they are not, they will still get the money in 1-2 days. Here is the list of banks and credit unions in the Zelle Network. https://www.zellepay.com/get-started

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