I refuse to put my phone number on checks.  I've had plenty of stores tell me that they can't take it without a number because of their bank's rules... so I give them the access number to the voice mail (from when I had voice mail) if I really need the item; if not, I tell them to keep it and leave.  Sometimes they let me; sometimes they write a number down (often the store number).  I've noticed recently that more stores are willing to accept "unlisted" instead of a phone number.