the AppStore is requiring to verify payment. For free apps! When I attempt to, my cards are denied. Why do I need to do this? How can I stop this process? I'm not making purchases

Create or use your Apple ID without a payment method - https://support.apple.com/HT204034 - "When you use your Apple ID to sign in to the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store for the first time, you're asked to enter a payment method so that you can purchase items from the store. Follow these steps if you don't want to associate a payment method with your account." - more information: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8293272?answerId=33067311022#33067311022