As a commercial pilot, the FAA news on SS# use caught my attention.
If the FAA doesn't need them, then the BDC is going to have a hard time convincing me that it is a genuine issue with them as well.

BASE359



FAA To Stop Using SSNs as Pilot Certificate Numbers on June 1
May 8, 2002 - Recent security and identity theft
concerns have led the FAA to cease its policy of using Social Security Numbers (SSN) as airmen certificate numbers. Effective June 1, 2002, all original airman certificates will be issued by the Airman Certification Branch (AFS-760) with unique certificate numbers.
Pilots with existing SSN certificate numbers can
complete a form and have the FAA assign them a unique certificate number. Through June 1, new Airman Certificates will continue to be issued using the SSN unless the airman requests a unique number. FAA’s Request For Change of Certificate Number form is available for download at
http://registry.faa.gov/docs/SSN_Change.pdf.