Abstract: The present invention relates to payment handling apparatus (10) which is operable to effect payment from a purchaser to a vendor. The payment handling apparatus (10) comprises a purchaser's device running a purchaser program (12) which is operable by the purchaser and a vendor's device running a vendor program (16) which is operable by the vendor. The purchaser's device (12) and the vendor's device (16) are in data communication with each other by way of a communication channel (26). The purchaser program is configured to encrypt a payment message and to convey a payment request to the vendor program by way of the communication channel (26). The payment request comprises the encrypted payment message. The payment handling apparatus is configured to encrypt a confirmation message and to convey a confirmation code to the purchaser program in dependence on receipt of the payment request by the vendor program. The confirmation code comprises the encrypted confirmation message.