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Credit card is easily changed. Phone number is much more difficult.

You credit card is also easily charged.

Your phone number isn't.

What is a company going to do with your phone number that you're worried about...?

Not difficult at all for anyone actually wanting to abuse it

You shouldn't have to want to abuse something for it to be inappropriate to be asked.

I agree just debunking the excuse that's always wheeled out for this overreach.