Debt Collectors, Collective of the Borg

I find it a curse and a blessing to share the name with so many women. Yes, surprisingly Jennifer Ott is a very popular name. Honestly, as a writer I must admit I do like seeing my name in print, so while promoting my writing I often have to wade through a sea of Jennifer Otts. That is why I have used the pen names Fiesta Jones and Carmen Octavio. But on the occasion, when I do not want to be found or known, I am grateful for the vast number of Jennifer Otts because in this great sea, I can submerge myself.

Recently in the abyss of Jennifer Otts a debt collector, Academy Services, found my number and call me every day. Not knowing the number I did not pick up. Yes, I screen calls. I figure if it is important they will leave me a message. One day I decided to stop the phone calls and answer. They were looking to collect a debt on Jen Ott. Current on all my bills, I questioned the debt. They said are you not Jennifer Ott and they quoted me a social security number. Yes, they quoted another women’s social security number me in full. Take that for identity theft, debt collectors are giving social security numbers away. I kindly told the operator, you have the wrong Jennifer Ott. Please do not call me again.

You will probably be startled to find out; they continue to call me, everyday and sometimes twice a day. One evening, when I let the call go directly to the answering machine, they indeed left a message. “By allowing this message to be heard you are acknowledging this is Jen Ott. If so, please call us, your friendly neighborhood debt collector. Okay, what’s a girl to do? I am Jen Ott, but I have no debt. I called them back and told another operator, I am not the Jennifer Ott you are looking for. Please take my number off your list. Guess what? You got it! The next day I received a call, this time the clever Debt Collector asked for Jenna Ott. Do they think I’ll respond to that? Let’s catch her with a nickname, maybe she’ll call us back. Here is my analogy with the Borg. Do these debt collectors have and individual thought and a brain, or are these operators tied to one collective operating system?

But then, as admitted previously I am addicted to the show The Tudors and I cleverly caught onto their fiendish plot. Even today, torture is a means of getting one to admit guilt, despite many being innocent. After being tortured, one will admit to anything. If the wise debt collectors keep hounding me, despite it not being my debt, perhaps they think I’ll break down, admit I am this other Jen Ott and pay them their money. Heck, that’s the point with Debt Collectors, they don’t care who you are as long as they get their money!

And if you are indeed the correct Jennifer Ott, you can give them a call yourself-Academy Services. Also, if you would like to comment to Academy Services their practice of giving out other people’s social security numbers. Feel free.