“If you know the first 7 digits, it’s easy enough to have an automated program figure out the last 4.”
.....
Not only that, but if you look at most of your credit card receipts, it lists the last four digits of your SSN, making it a snap to match it up if one is lucky enough to be dumpster diving in the right trash can or simply employed in the right office.
Doh!! I was thinking credit card #s! Sorry.
SSN also are fragile. Every time you fill out an employment app. Point that alot of you make is that there are numerous ways to get the #s. Regardless of how many numbers are released, there is absolutely no legitimate reason for it.