Citibank Really Pushes the Envelope

Citibank, the folks who, in June 2005, lost 3.9 million of their customers’ personal records, including names, Social Security numbers, account history and loan information, just sent me an unsolicited credit card offer. Normally I pay no attention to the eight to ten of these received each week, but something about this one caught my eye. In the address window, plainly stated in bold letters was: “Pre-approved offer for: Jack E. Dunning.” What dishonor-bound ID thief could possibly resist this temptation? Years ago they outlawed sending the actual pre-approved card(s) in the same mailing with the offer. It’s time to rethink this whole process with around 5 billion of these mailings going out each year.