“Please state your account verification details.”

“My name is Iris Elizabeth Collins,” I said, reciting my Social Security number and main mailing address without hesitating.

“Account verified,” the representative said.

“I see a balance of six hundred and twelve dollars and forty cents due on the mountain cabin account.”

“I’m closing the utility service for that property address, effective immediately,” I said.

“Please terminate the active account tied to my identity.”

“There’s an outstanding balance,” the clerk said.