Dear Valued Customer...


As you know from the very special sticker on the envelope, this letter comes to you straight from the Office of the President[‘s nameless warehouse somewhere] in order to extend to you our exclusive [to just about anyone] credit card offer.

An elite, sophisticated, good-looking person
[who won’t get this much faint praise at his/her own funeral] such as yourself knows what you want and of course you deserve to have it now [and to pay for it many times over for many years to come]. Start charging on our shiny new platinum/titanium/plutonium card and gain the envious admiration of every one around you [who are already maxxed out on their once-shiny cards from us].

You’re preferred, pre-approved, validated in every way. You’ve really arrived. You’re an amazing success!
[Just don’t bring this letter to your high school reunion, where you’ll be laughed out of the room by everyone else waving theirs.] Just fill out the enclosed acceptance form, [and please ignore the fine print about the binding arbitration by “neutral” parties hired and paid by us] and you’ll be on your way [to crushing debt that grows by leaps and bounds with our interest, fees and penalties]!

Hurry! This offer ends soon
[to be replaced by only ten more just like it during the course of the year]!