First impressions: a small example of deceit, ultimately from Citigroup Inc.

Stephen Hewitt, 2 September 2003

First impressions count, they say. And indeed it is surprising how often the dishonest give themselves away with small initial clues.

Take this small example of deceit that came fluttering through my letter box in Cambridge this morning, in the form of an envelope addressed as follows:

The Occupier
Specially delivered by hand to ensure you receive the enclosed. Please read carefully.

This might be interesting, if it were true. But it isn't. It's a blatant, bare-faced lie. The letter came with the rest of my mail, delivered by the postman in the usual way.

And showing quite clearly their contempt for the reasoning abilities of their potential customers, the envelope has "DELIVERED BY Royal Mail" on the front. On the back it reads "If undelivered, please return to: P.O Box 86, Workshop Notts S80 1ZF".

At the bottom of the enclosed advertising circular is the following:

Citi and Arc Design is a service mark of Citicorp. Citi is a trading style of CitiFinancial Europe plc which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England No. 1375237. Registered Office: CitiFinancial Europe plc, 87 Castle Street, Reading RG1 7DX. Ultimately owned by Citgroup Inc., New York, USA