Module 6: Banking & Transactions
What you will learn: How to check your balance, pay bills, and make safe purchases online — all from your iPad. Online banking is secure, convenient, and less scary than you think.
Jean, 73, had been driving to her local bank branch every Friday to check her account balance. Rain, snow, construction — it did not matter. She trusted the bank teller and she trusted the printed receipt.
Then the pandemic changed everything. The branch limited hours, the lineups were long, and Jean's daughter suggested she try mobile banking. "I was terrified," Jean recalls. "What if someone stole my money through the phone? What if I pressed the wrong button and accidentally sent my savings somewhere?"
Jean's daughter sat with her and walked her through the RBC app. They checked her balance together. They looked at recent transactions. Jean realised that everything she could see at the bank counter, she could see on her iPad — without leaving her kitchen.
"I still go to the branch sometimes," Jean says with a smile. "But now it is because I want to, not because I have to. And I check my balance every morning with my coffee."
You are about to learn how to manage your money safely on your device. This is one of the most practical skills you will gain, and it is much simpler than you might expect.
Thousands of Canadians your age bank online every day. You can too.
Why Online Banking Is Actually Safer Than You Think
This might surprise you, but online banking through your bank's official app is extremely secure. Here is why:
- Bank apps use encryption. Encryption scrambles your information so that even if someone intercepted it, they would see only nonsense. It is like writing a letter in a secret code that only you and the bank know.
- Your bank monitors for unusual activity. If someone tries to log in from an unfamiliar location or make an unusual purchase, your bank's security systems flag it immediately.
- Face ID adds another layer. If you set up Face ID (Module 3), no one can open your banking app without your face.
- Canadian banks carry deposit insurance. The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) protects your deposits up to $100,000. Even in the unlikely event something went wrong, your money is protected.
Banks spend billions of dollars on security every year. The security systems protecting your online banking are the same ones protecting the bank itself. When you use the official app, you are behind the same walls as the bank's own vault.
Confidence Check: Online banking is not a risk — it is a well-guarded service. You deserve the convenience of checking your accounts from home.
Your bank will never phone, email, or text you to ask for your password, PIN, or security questions. If someone contacts you claiming to be from your bank and asks for this information, hang up or delete the message immediately. Then call your bank directly using the number on the back of your bank card.
Remember the 3-Second Rule
Stop. Breathe. Think before you tap. If something feels urgent or too good to be true, that is your signal to pause.
Getting Your Bank's Real App
The most important step is downloading the real app from the real App Store. Use what you learned in Module 4:
Downloading Your Bank's App
Official Bank App
The official banking app is published under your bank's exact legal company name and has millions of downloads with thousands of verified reviews — look for both before installing.
Never log into your bank through a link in an email, a text message, or a website someone sent you. Always open the banking app directly from your Home screen, or type the bank's web address yourself in Safari.
The most important step is downloading the real app from the real Google Play Store. Use what you learned in Module 4:
Downloading Your Bank's App
Never log into your bank through a link in an email, a text message, or a website someone sent you. Always open the banking app directly from your Home screen, or type the bank's web address yourself in Chrome.
On your Windows computer, you do not need to install an app — your bank has a full website you can use in your browser. Here is how to set it up safely:
Bookmarking Your Bank's Real Website
Never click a link in an email or text message to log into your bank. Always type the web address yourself (like rbc.com) or click your saved bookmark. This is the single most important habit to protect yourself from banking scams.
Once you have downloaded your bank's app (or bookmarked the website on your computer), you can find it easily. You might place it near your other frequently used apps. That way you always know exactly where it is.
Be careful when searching for your bank's app. Scammers sometimes create fake banking apps with similar names. Always check the developer name — it should match your bank's official name (for example, "Royal Bank of Canada" for RBC).
You are doing great, and your device is safe. Everything you have learned so far is stored safely. Take a breath — you are in control.
Checking Your Balance
Viewing Your Account Balance
Viewing Your Account Balance
Viewing Your Account Balance in the Browser
Always click Sign Out when you finish your online banking session — especially on a shared or family computer. Simply closing the browser window is not enough. Signing out makes sure no one else can access your account if they open the browser later.
Banking App Home Screen
The banking app main screen shows your account balances at a glance — chequing, savings, and credit cards listed clearly. Tap any account to see your recent transactions.
The 3-Second Rule for Banking
Paying Bills Online
Most Canadian banks allow you to pay bills (hydro, internet, phone, property tax) directly through the app. The process varies by bank, but here is the general approach:
- Sign into your banking app.
- Look for "Pay Bills" or "Bill Payment" in the menu.
- Select the company you want to pay (like your local utility company or "Bell Canada"). If it is your first time, you may need to add the company and enter your account number from your paper bill.
- Enter the amount you want to pay.
- Choose which account to pay from (usually your chequing account).
- Review everything carefully before tapping "Confirm" or "Pay."
Bill Payment Screen
The bill payment screen asks you to select a payee (the company you are paying), enter your account number with them, and type the amount — then confirm with fingerprint or PIN.
If you are nervous about paying a bill online for the first time, start with a small amount — like paying $10 toward your phone bill. Watch for the payment to appear on your next statement. Once you see it worked, you will feel confident paying the full amount.
Confidence Check: Paying bills from your kitchen table is a wonderful convenience. No more stamps, no more lineups, no more driving in the snow.
Interac e-Transfer Screen
The e-Transfer screen asks for the recipient's email or mobile number and the dollar amount. Always double-check the address before sending — transfers can be difficult to reverse.
You have learned how to check your balance and pay bills online. These are real, practical skills that will save you time and give you independence. You are doing brilliantly.
Safe Online Shopping
Buying things online can be safe and convenient if you follow these guidelines:
- Stick to well-known stores. Amazon.ca, Walmart.ca, Canadian Tire, and other large retailers have strong security.
- Look for the lock icon. In Safari, look at the address bar at the top. You should see a small padlock icon before the website address. This means the connection is secure (encrypted).
- Use Apple Pay when possible. Apple Pay does not share your actual credit card number with the store. It uses a special one-time code instead. This is safer than typing your card number.
- Be cautious with unfamiliar websites. If you find a deal on a website you have never heard of, search for reviews of that store first.
- Save receipts. Your email will receive a receipt after each purchase. Keep these for your records.
Setting Up Apple Pay
Buying things online can be safe and convenient if you follow these guidelines:
- Stick to well-known stores. Amazon.ca, Walmart.ca, Canadian Tire, and other large retailers have strong security.
- Look for the lock icon. In Chrome, look at the address bar at the top. You should see a small padlock icon before the website address. This means the connection is secure (encrypted).
- Use Google Wallet when possible. Google Wallet (formerly Google Pay) does not share your actual credit card number with the store. It uses a special one-time code instead. This is safer than typing your card number.
- Be cautious with unfamiliar websites. If you find a deal on a website you have never heard of, search for reviews of that store first.
- Save receipts. Your email will receive a receipt after each purchase. Keep these for your records.
Setting Up Google Wallet
Shopping online on your Windows computer works through your web browser. The same safety rules apply:
- Stick to well-known stores. Amazon.ca, Walmart.ca, Canadian Tire, and other large retailers have strong security.
- Look for the padlock icon. In Edge or Chrome, look at the address bar at the top of the browser. You should see a small padlock before the web address — this means the connection is secure (encrypted). Never enter your payment information on a site without this padlock.
- Use a credit card, not your debit card. Credit cards have stronger fraud protection. If something goes wrong, your bank can reverse the charge. A debit card comes directly out of your bank account, which is harder to recover.
- Let your browser save the payment info securely. Microsoft Edge and Chrome can save your credit card information securely and fill it in automatically. This is safer than typing your card number repeatedly.
- Save your email receipts. Your email inbox will receive a receipt after each purchase. Keep these for your records.
Before entering any payment information, look at the web address (URL) at the top of the browser. It should start with https:// — the "s" stands for secure. You should also see the padlock icon. If the padlock is missing or there is a warning message, close the website immediately and do not enter any information.
Secure Connection Padlock
The padlock icon in your browser address bar confirms the connection is encrypted. Your banking details are scrambled and cannot be read by anyone monitoring the network.
Never buy from a website that: asks you to pay by wire transfer or gift cards, has prices that seem too good to be true (a $1,200 iPad for $99), has no contact information or physical address, or has a website address that looks misspelled or strange.
Banking Tutorials
Online Banking Basics
Check your balance, pay bills, and view transactions safely from your iPad.
Watch TutorialsMobile Banking Safety
How to bank safely — password tips, secure connections, and fraud alerts.
Watch TutorialsThese links open YouTube in a new tab. YouTube is safe and free to use — you can watch as many videos as you like without signing in.
📚 New to YouTube? Learn how to spot quality videos and avoid ads
Practical Exercise: Banking Confidence Builder
- Download your bank's official app from the App Store (verify the developer name first).
- Log in and check your account balance. Compare it with your most recent paper statement.
- Look at your recent transactions. Do you recognise everything? If not, contact your bank.
- Sign out of the app when you are done.
🤝 Need In-Person Help?
Your local community offers free technology support for seniors:
Your Local Library
Many libraries offer free tech workshops and one-on-one help sessions.
Senior Centre
Community centres often host technology classes and support groups.
Connected Canadians
Free one-on-one tech support by phone or video call.
1-855-808-0505
Cyber-Seniors
Free tech training from trained volunteers.
1-844-217-3057
Congratulations! You have completed Module 6!
Online banking and shopping are now tools you can use with confidence. You have earned this freedom and convenience.
Feeling Stuck?
You do not have to figure this out alone. These free services are staffed by real, patient people who love helping:
Connected Canadians — 1-855-808-0505
Cyber-Seniors — 1-844-217-3057
Both services are free, Canadian, and specialise in helping older adults with technology at your own pace.
Quick Answers
Yes, when you access it through your bank official app or website — not through a link in an email. Use your home Wi-Fi or mobile data, not public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop. Enable two-factor authentication if your bank offers it.
Only send e-transfers to people you know personally. Double-check the email address before confirming — one wrong letter sends money to the wrong person. Set up Autodeposit so incoming transfers go straight to your account without a security question.
Someone sends you a fake e-transfer for more than agreed, then asks you to send the difference back. The original e-transfer was fake — but the money you send back is real. Never send an e-transfer to refund or return part of a payment you received.
Call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card. Do not use a phone number from an email or pop-up. Report it as fraud. Your bank fraud team can freeze your card and investigate.