text: is it unsafe to buy items over the internet,considering your card-pin can be stolen? what are some ways to prevent stealing of the pin? it's safer than at any store: when you buy online, usually your credit card number is stored in some databases, and only authorized personel with the merchant have access to it. when you show your credit card at the store, any schmuck who works there can steal the number. plus, most credit cards companies now offer excellent protection to their members for online purchases.