PDF metadata confirms that you are correct, it was MS Publisher 2013.

I put in my @student.gla.ac.uk email address and it told me this:

"It appears your email is not associated with an eligible university. If you think this is a mistake please email us at support@namecheap.com"

Technically it's possible for some cards to mandate online authorization (ie 'phoning' the bank).

oh, yeah true, Visa Electron and friends.

Perfect use case for a Bloom filter.