But we often don't. I just got my covid shot and with it a request to sign up for vsafe, which needs a phone number. (Which means i can't sign up since I have anti spam protection on and so their texts don't get through )
Tell them you have no phone. It seems to disarm people. You're not telling that you refuse their request, and getting into a power struggle. Then ask them if that means you can't get a vaccination or whatever. This has worked every time so far for me.
It doesn't get easier. It probably would if more of us did it, though.
I got the vaccine not problem. With the vaccine came a sheet of paper requesting I sign up for vsafe which is a program unrelated to those giving the vaccine. It is probably useful to sign up, so I tried, but there wasn't an option of no phone, or at least not until it was too late.