It's actually nine numbers...  :)

As far as the personal information goes, most people are dumb enough to blindly give businesses whatever they ask for.

I was at a haircutting chain the other day and they still ask people for the phone numbers.  Most of the suckers gave it to them.  If they had asked for their social security numbers they would have gladly given them, too.

Most businesses that ask for this kind of information get it because most people aren't smart enough to refuse to give it to them.  We have ourselves to blame in many cases.