Transacting Online

What does 'https://' at the start of a website address, usually shown with a padlock or site-information icon, tell you before entering payment details?

• AThe business behind the website has been registered and verified with Companies House in the UK
• BThe connection is encrypted, meaning your payment details are transmitted securely✓
• CThe website has been inspected and approved by a government body before being allowed to take payments
• DAny purchase you make on the site is covered by a guaranteed refund if the goods never arrive

Answer: HTTPS means your data is encrypted in transit, an essential minimum before entering card details on any website. Browsers change how they display the indicator, so check the address itself — and remember that encryption alone does not prove the shop is genuine.

What is an 'online shopping basket' or 'cart'?

• AA saved list of products you have looked at recently, kept so you can find them again
• BA folder in your email account where order confirmations are filed automatically
• CA virtual holding area where you add items before proceeding to pay✓
• DA list of everything you have bought from that retailer before

Answer: The shopping basket or cart holds your selected items while you browse, allowing you to review and adjust your order before checkout.

What information should you check before completing an online purchase?

• AHow many other products the seller has listed on the website
• BWhether the product photographs look professional and well lit
• CThe total price, delivery costs, return policy, and that the website is legitimate✓
• DHow many followers the retailer has on social media

Answer: Before buying, confirm the full price (including delivery), understand the returns policy, and verify the website is genuine to avoid scams.

What is PayPal or a similar service?

• AA type of credit card issued by an online retailer that can only be used to buy goods from that retailer's website
• BA government-backed savings account that pays interest on money you have set aside to spend on online shopping
• CAn online bank that replaces your current account and issues you a new sort code
• DAn online payment service that allows you to pay without sharing your card details directly with the seller✓

Answer: Services like PayPal act as an intermediary, so sellers never see your actual card number, adding a layer of security to online transactions.

What is a 'confirmation email' after an online purchase?

• AA record of your order details sent to confirm the transaction was successful✓
• BA message from the retailer asking you to click a link and pay again because the first payment failed
• CA marketing email telling you about products you might like next time
• DAn email inviting you to review the product before it has arrived

Answer: A confirmation email is a receipt of your order, typically listing items, price, delivery address and estimated delivery — keep it for your records.

What is 'online banking'?

• ACompleting a mortgage or loan application on a lender's website and uploading your proof of income documents
• BA website that converts one currency into another at the day's exchange rate
• CManaging your bank account via a website or app, including checking balances and making transfers✓
• DBuying and selling shares and other financial products on an auction site

Answer: Online banking allows you to access your account, check your balance, make payments, and manage finances through a secure website or mobile app.

What should you do if you notice an unexpected transaction on your bank statement?

• AContact your bank immediately to report it as potentially fraudulent✓
• BDelete the banking app from your phone so that no further payments can be taken
• CWait a few weeks to see whether the payment is reversed before doing anything
• DChange the password on your email account, because that is where the fraud must have started

Answer: Unfamiliar transactions should be reported to your bank immediately. The sooner you report fraud, the more likely you are to recover your money.

What is a 'cookie consent' banner on a website?

• AA security check, such as selecting all the images with traffic lights, that proves you are not a robot
• BA notice informing you about cookies the website uses and asking for your agreement✓
• CA pop-up offering a discount code in return for signing up to the retailer's mailing list
• DA notice confirming the website has been checked for viruses

Answer: Cookie banners tell visitors which cookies a site uses and ask for their agreement. UK cookie rules come from PECR, and consent for non-essential cookies must meet the UK GDPR standard — a clear, positive action.

What does 'GDPR' stand for in the context of online data?

• AGovernment Data Processing Rules
• BGeneral Data Protection Regulation✓
• CGeneral Data Privacy Regulations
• DGlobal Digital Privacy Rights

Answer: GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) governs how organisations collect, store and use personal data. In the UK it is known as the UK GDPR and works alongside the Data Protection Act 2018.

Under GDPR, what right do you have regarding your personal data held by a company?

• AYou have the right to access the data held about you, and in certain circumstances to have it deleted✓
• BOnce you have ticked the box accepting a company's terms and conditions, you give up any rights over the data they hold
• CYou are entitled to sell your own personal data to advertising companies and to keep a share of the payment they make
• DYou can demand the immediate, unconditional deletion of every piece of information a company holds about you

Answer: GDPR gives individuals rights including access to their data (Subject Access Request) and the right to erasure (right to be forgotten) in certain circumstances.

What is an 'online form' used for?

• ATo create and edit shared documents with other people online
• BTo transfer money securely from your account to a business
• CTo store your passwords safely in an encrypted vault
• DTo collect information digitally, such as for registration, applications or feedback✓

Answer: Online forms collect information through fields you fill in — used for everything from registering on a website to completing a job application.

When completing an online form, what does a field marked with an asterisk (*) typically indicate?

• AThe field contains a link to extra guidance notes
• BThe field is optional and may be skipped
• CThe field holds sensitive personal data
• DThe field is required and must be completed✓

Answer: An asterisk next to a field label indicates that the field is mandatory — the form will not submit without it being completed.

What is 'two-step verification' used for in online banking?

• ATo check your balance twice before a payment leaves the account so that you cannot accidentally go overdrawn
• BTo let two people sign in to the same account at the same time
• CTo provide an extra security step to confirm your identity before authorising transactions✓
• DTo open a joint account with a partner without visiting a branch

Answer: Two-step verification (similar to 2FA) sends a code to your phone or email, confirming it is really you before authorising sensitive banking actions.

What is a 'return policy' in online shopping?

• AThe maximum number of items you are allowed to order in a single transaction from that retailer
• BThe delivery options presented at checkout, including standard, next-day and click-and-collect postage
• CA manufacturer's written guarantee confirming the item is genuine rather than a counterfeit imitation
• DThe conditions under which you can send back an item and receive a refund or exchange✓

Answer: A return policy states how long after purchase you can return an item, in what condition, and what refund or replacement you are entitled to.

What is a red flag that an online deal might be a scam?

• AThe website asks you to create an account with an email address and a password before you can order
• BThe price is dramatically lower than everywhere else and the website has no contact details✓
• CThe website offers free delivery on every order over a certain amount
• DThe site shows a cookie banner as soon as the home page opens

Answer: Prices far below market value combined with no verifiable contact details are classic signs of a scam or counterfeit goods site.

What is online 'checkout'?

• AA page that lists all the delivery addresses you have saved on your account for future orders
• BThe tracking system that shows where your parcel currently is and the day it is expected to arrive
• CA feature that lets you place two similar products side by side to compare their prices and features
• DThe final stage of online shopping where you confirm your order and make payment✓

Answer: Checkout is the final process in online shopping where you enter delivery details, apply discount codes, and complete payment.

What does 'delivery tracking' allow you to do after an online purchase?

• ACancel the order once it has been dispatched
• BSend an item back before it has been delivered
• CMessage the seller directly from the parcel page
• DMonitor the progress and estimated arrival time of your parcel✓

Answer: Delivery tracking gives you real-time updates on where your parcel is in the delivery process and an estimated delivery date/time.

What is a 'digital receipt'?

• AAn electronic record of a transaction sent by email or available in an app✓
• BA photograph of a paper till receipt taken on your phone and saved to your gallery
• CA printable copy of your bank statement showing all the payments you have made online
• DA QR code scanned at the till in a physical shop

Answer: A digital receipt is an electronic proof of purchase sent by email or stored in an app, serving the same purpose as a paper receipt.

What is a 'subscription' in online services?

• AA free trial period that lets you use a new service for thirty days
• BA recurring payment (e.g. monthly or annually) in exchange for ongoing access to a service✓
• CPoints you earn for shopping regularly with the same retailer
• DA single one-off payment that gives you lifetime access

Answer: Subscriptions charge you regularly (monthly or annually) for continued access to a service like Netflix, Spotify or a software package.

Why is it important to read the terms and conditions before purchasing online?

• AThey set out the delivery address that the parcel will be sent to
• BThey list every product the seller currently has available to buy in stock
• CThey explain your rights, the company's obligations, refund policy and how your data is used✓
• DThey contain the discount codes the retailer is offering

Answer: Terms and conditions are a legal contract. Understanding them before purchase helps you know your rights, the return policy, and how your data is used.

What does a 'price comparison website' do?

• ACompares prices from multiple retailers to help you find the best deal✓
• BTells you the average price a product has sold for over the last twelve months
• CBuys stock in bulk and sells it directly at a lower price
• DApplies discount codes for you at the checkout page

Answer: Price comparison websites (e.g. Google Shopping, PriceRunner) aggregate prices from many sellers so you can quickly find the best deal.

What is a 'discount code' or 'voucher code' in online shopping?

• AThe three-digit security number printed on your bank card's reverse
• BA membership number that gives you access to the retailer's rewards scheme
• CA personalised reference number used to track your parcel to your door
• DA code you enter at checkout to receive a reduction in price✓

Answer: Discount or voucher codes are entered during checkout to apply a percentage off, fixed reduction, or free delivery to your order.

What should you check when buying from an unfamiliar online seller?

• AWhether the website uses bright colours and a modern logo
• BCustomer reviews, seller ratings, contact details and return policy✓
• CWhether next-day delivery is offered at the checkout
• DHow many product photographs are shown on the listing page

Answer: Reviews and ratings from previous buyers, verifiable contact information, and a clear returns policy help determine if a seller is trustworthy.

What is 'contactless payment'?

• AA payment made by bank transfer, where money moves straight from your account to the seller's account
• BA payment made entirely online by typing your long card number and expiry date into a checkout page
• CBuying something without the seller being present, such as from a vending machine
• DA method of payment using a card or device tapped close to a reader, without entering a PIN✓

Answer: Contactless payment uses NFC technology to process transactions by tapping a card or phone on a payment terminal, usually up to a set spending limit.

What does 'opt-in' mean in the context of marketing emails?

• AYou have actively chosen to receive marketing emails from that company✓
• BYou have clicked the unsubscribe link at the bottom of an email and been removed from the list
• CThe company has added you to its mailing list automatically without asking you first
• DYou have reported the company's marketing emails to your provider as junk mail

Answer: Opt-in means you have explicitly agreed to receive marketing communications. In the UK the rules for marketing emails come from PECR (the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations), which normally require your consent first.

What is 'click and collect' in online retail?

• AA way of returning unwanted items by dropping them off at a local parcel shop
• BA tool that gathers prices from several shops so that you can compare them
• CA service where you order online and collect your item from a store rather than having it delivered✓
• DPaying for goods in a shop by tapping your card on the reader

Answer: Click and collect lets you order online and then pick up your purchase from a designated collection point or store, often avoiding delivery fees.

What is an 'online account' on a retailer's website used for?

• ATo store your bank details permanently so you never need to enter them again
• BTo share your purchases with friends on social media
• CTo access wholesale prices as a business
• DTo save your address, view order history and track deliveries more easily✓

Answer: Retailer accounts store your delivery address, payment methods, and purchase history for convenience — they also give access to order tracking.

What is 'phishing' in the context of online banking?

• AA short quiz that your bank emails to customers to check how well they understand their account features
• BA legitimate process in which your bank telephones you and asks you to read out your full password
• CA feature of a premium bank account that alerts you whenever a large payment leaves your balance
• DFraudulent messages posing as your bank to steal your login credentials or personal details✓

Answer: Banking phishing involves fake emails or websites impersonating your bank to steal your username, password, or card details.

What action should you take if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from your bank asking for your full PIN?

• AAsk them to email your PIN to you instead so that you have a written record
• BRead out the PIN, because the caller has already confirmed your name and address
• CRefuse — banks never ask for your full PIN by phone✓
• DGive only the first and last digits, which is what genuine banks ask for

Answer: Legitimate banks will never ask for your complete PIN over the phone. This is a classic vishing (voice phishing) scam.

What does 'free returns' mean in online shopping?

• AYou can send items back at no cost to you within the specified time period✓
• BYour refund is issued the moment you request it, before the goods have been received back
• CThe retailer sends a replacement item before you post the first one back
• DAny item can be returned at any time, for any reason at all

Answer: Free returns means the seller covers the cost of returning an item (e.g. a prepaid label), so you do not pay postage to send it back.

What is a 'digital wallet'?

• AAn app or software that stores payment information for quick and secure online or contactless payments✓
• BA physical wallet lined with RFID-blocking material that prevents contactless cards from being read by thieves in a crowd
• CA cloud storage folder used to keep copies of invoices and receipts
• DA current account that can only be opened and managed through a mobile app

Answer: A digital wallet (e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal) stores your payment cards securely and allows quick payments without entering card details manually.

What is the purpose of an 'order number' after an online purchase?

• AA discount code that can be used against your next order
• BA unique reference that helps you and the retailer track your specific order✓
• CA code used to confirm that the seller's business is genuine
• DThe customer account number you were given at registration

Answer: An order number uniquely identifies your purchase, making it easier to track, query or return your order by quoting it to customer service.

What is 'online fraud'?

• ACriminal deception conducted via the internet to gain money or personal information✓
• BA fault on a retailer's website that charges you more than the advertised price by mistake
• CBuying the wrong item because you misread the product description on the seller's listing page
• DA refund that takes longer to arrive than the retailer promised

Answer: Online fraud encompasses scams, phishing, fake websites and identity theft conducted via the internet to steal money or data.

What does a '14-day cooling-off period' mean when buying online in the UK?

• AThe seller has 14 days from the date of your order in which to process it and dispatch the goods to you
• BYou have 14 days from receiving an item to cancel and return it for a full refund without reason✓
• CThe advertised price is held for 14 days after you place your order
• DYou have 14 days after ordering in which to pay for the goods

Answer: Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations you have 14 days from receiving most online purchases to cancel, without giving a reason, and then a further 14 days to send the goods back. You may have to pay the return postage unless the seller offers free returns.

What is 'website accessibility' important for when completing forms or transactions online?

• ATo make web pages load more quickly by cutting down on the number of large images and scripts they contain
• BTo allow a website to carry on working normally even when the device has no internet connection at all
• CTo reduce the amount of mobile data a website uses when someone views it on a phone away from wi-fi
• DTo ensure people with disabilities can use websites effectively, including completing purchases✓

Answer: Accessible websites allow people with visual impairments, motor difficulties and other needs to use all features, including forms and transactions, independently.

What is 'guest checkout' on a retailer's website?

• ACompleting a purchase without creating an account, so your details are not stored long-term✓
• BA feature that lets a friend or a family member pay for the items sitting in your basket on your behalf
• CA faster checkout available only to members of the retailer's loyalty scheme
• DA separate checkout used by customers ordering from outside the UK

Answer: Guest checkout lets you buy without registering, meaning the retailer stores fewer of your details and you avoid marketing communications.

What should you do if an online shop asks for more personal information than seems necessary to complete a purchase?

• ABe cautious — only provide information that is genuinely needed and reconsider using that site✓
• BFill in everything requested, because the order cannot be completed otherwise
• CInvent a false name and delivery address so your real details stay private
• DSave the page to your favourites and come back to complete it later

Answer: Legitimate retailers only need basic delivery and payment details. Requests for excessive personal information could indicate a scam or data harvesting.

What is a 'loyalty scheme' or 'rewards programme' offered by online retailers?

• AA scheme where you pay a fixed monthly fee in return for unlimited free next-day delivery on everything you order
• BA promise from the retailer to match any lower price you find elsewhere and to refund you the difference afterwards
• CA paid annual membership that must be renewed before you are allowed to place any further orders with that retailer
• DA programme where you earn points or benefits for purchases that can be redeemed for discounts or rewards✓

Answer: Loyalty schemes reward repeat customers with points per purchase, which can be redeemed for discounts, free items, or other perks.

What is 'data minimisation' in the context of online transactions?

• AOpening a private browsing window for every purchase you make
• BDeleting your customer account once each order has been delivered
• CProviding only the minimum personal data necessary to complete a transaction✓
• DReducing how much mobile data you use while shopping online

Answer: Data minimisation — a GDPR principle — means only providing the personal data actually needed for a transaction, reducing privacy risk.

What is the purpose of the CVV or CVC number on the back of a bank card?

• AA security code used to verify the card is physically present during online transactions✓
• BThe eight-digit account number that identifies your current account, printed for your reference
• CThe four-digit PIN that you type into a cash machine or a card reader when paying in a shop
• DA reference number that links your card to the loyalty points you have collected in store and online

Answer: The CVV/CVC (Card Verification Value/Code) is the short security code printed on the card — three digits on the back for Visa and Mastercard, four on the front for American Express. It confirms that the person making an online purchase has the card to hand.