Zip code could be used either for demographics or for credit card validation or both. I have no problem with that. And I agree, no phone number. If they insist on that, I give them 555-1212.

>So what I learned still applies. I rarely get asked for ID with a credit card, though increasingly, they ask for my zip code. I'm comfortable with that.
>
>OTOH, lots of stores (Radio Shack, especially) ask for my phone number, even if I'm using cash, and that I won't give.
>
>Tamar