Ways to Pay
Ways to pay, including cash, debit and credit cards, contactless phones and online payments; where payment money comes from; keeping payment details private
What a learner can do afterwards
- Give at least four examples of ways to pay and explain that some examples can overlap
- Explain that debit payments use linked account money and credit payments use borrowed money that must be repaid, including when a phone is used
- Give one reason why you should keep card numbers and passwords private
1 · Read
Cash is notes and coins. A bank account keeps track of money you have at a bank. A debit card pays with money from its linked account. A credit card pays with borrowed money that must be paid back. These payments are not free. Ask a trusted adult before using their money, card or phone.
Contactless means holding a card or a phone with payment set up near a reader. The shop must accept that payment method. A phone can use a linked debit or credit card. Debit uses account money. Credit uses borrowed money that must be repaid. Online payments spend money too.
The phone needs payment set up. Tapping is a way to pay, not free money.
Mia's mom pays $12 for a book using a phone linked to her debit card. Her account had $20. To find what is left, take the payment away: 20 - 12 = 8. Her account has $8 left. Paying with cash instead would use the notes or coins she hands over.
These bars show the account money before and after the debit payment.
To find a payment total, add the full prices. A $2 pen and a $6 notebook cost $8 together: 2 + 6 = 8. If these are the full prices, buying both with a debit card uses $8 from its linked account.
Each block stands for $1. Add both groups.
Keep card details, passwords and PIN codes private. Someone could misuse them to try to spend money or enter an account. If a surprise message or call asks for them, do not send them or follow its links. Tell a trusted adult. If details were already shared, tell the adult promptly so they can contact the bank.
A surprise request for private payment details needs adult help.
Payments have a cost. Debit uses account money; credit uses borrowed money that must be repaid. Add full prices, keep payment details private and ask a trusted adult for help.
Lesson, questions and flashcards written for this dataset about paying, payment totals and private payment details.
Five readings written for this dataset about payment sources, phones, shops, checks and unexpected requests for private details.
More to read
Where does the payment money come from?
Picture an adult paying for a bag of apples. If they hand over cash, those notes or coins leave their hand. That purchase does not itself take money from their bank account at that moment.
A debit card uses money from its linked bank account. A credit card uses borrowed money, which must be paid back. Similar-looking cards can use different sources of money.
The way an adult presents a payment does not tell the whole story. To understand a card purchase, you also need to know whether the card is debit or credit.
The phone is a payment tool
An adult's phone can have a payment wallet set up with a card. At a shop that accepts it, the adult can hold the phone near the reader to pay.
The phone does not supply free money. A linked debit card uses account money. A linked credit card uses borrowed money that must be repaid.
Some payment apps can use money held in the app, a bank account or a card. The adult needs to check which is being used. Always ask permission before using another person's phone, card or money.
What does this shop accept?
One shop might accept cash and cards. Another might accept a different set of payment methods. A phone ready to pay will not help if the shop cannot accept that payment.
Before buying, an adult can check the full price and the methods the seller accepts. They also need to know where the payment money will come from.
Try a pretend shop with play money. Give the shop a sign saying what it accepts. Take turns choosing items, checking prices and asking how to pay. Leave real payment details out of the game.
Paying with a paper check
A paper check is another payment method some adults use. The person writing it names who should be paid and how much. The check tells their bank to make that payment from an account.
The bank needs to process the check. Writing it does not create extra money, so the adult needs to keep track of the payment.
Checks show private account information. They can be lost, stolen or changed. They are not risk-free gifts to put in the mail. A trusted adult can ask the bank how to handle a check safely.
When a message asks for private details
A message might offer a prize and ask for card details. Another might ask for a password. You do not have to answer an unexpected request like this.
Keep the details private. Do not use the message's links. Show a trusted adult, who can contact the bank using contact details they already trust.
If you already shared information, tell the adult promptly. They can ask the bank what to do next. Private details can be misused, so protecting them helps reduce risk. It does not promise that every account will always be safe.
2 · Watch
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Where it sits
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Where this leads
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