Another way to fool Gmail (for phone numbers): use a ~ instead of a -
404-835-9421 --> 404~835~9421
It'll save you (or less savvy users ;-) the trip down html lane.
I found another way to remove links in outlook that i tested so far. if you create a blank class for example in your css say .blank {} and then do the following to your links for example:
<a href="http://www.link.com/"><span class="blank" style="text-decoration:none !important;">Search</span></a>
this worked for me hopefully it will help someone who is still having trouble taking out the underline of links in outlook. If anyone has a workaround for gmail please could you help me tried everything in this thread nothing is working.
Thanks