Bank account & credit card info on rental applications?

[Izabella W.]

I'm a new landlord and have been looking for a rental application and most if not all of the apps I found online ask for bank account numbers and credit card numbers. Is it me or is this really a little too much information to share with other people? I would run, not walk, if I was looking for an apartment and had to fill that out.  I understand how balances and minimum payments may affect the ability to pay rent but what does providing account numbers do for the landlord?  I simply crossed that entire section out for my prospective tenants but wanted to check with you if there is any merit in asking for it.  With social security numbers, addresses, names, and all of the other info supplied (I also don't ask for dates of birth), we are just asking for identity theft.  Thoughts?