Almost everyone with an e-mail address has received an Internet chain letter. And those netizens that read newsgroups are used to seeing them posted constantly. Chain letters come in all shapes and sizes. Usually, they ask that you send a certain amount of money, either to the person at the top of the list or to each person on the list, then send out or post more letters yourself with your name added to the bottom of the list. Sometimes they offer items of little value for "sale." For a small investment, often only $5, it promises hundreds of dollars in return.
There is one major problem with chain letters, no matter how you received them. They're illegal if they request money or other items of value and promise a substantial return. According to the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) "[c]hain letters are a form of gambling, and sending them through the mail (or delivering them in person or by computer but mailing money to participate) violate Title 18, United States Code, Section 1302, the Postal Lottery Statute." If you've ever read an Internet chain letter, you probably recognize the statute. Many chain letters claim that under Title 18 they are legal and will actually reference it in the body of the letter. Don't believe it. According to the federal law enforcement agency in charge of enforcing the statute, the USPIS, Title 18 makes chain letters illegal.
Chain letters are simply bad investments to begin with. Not only are they illegal, but it is mathematically impossible for everyone to make money. Sooner or later, there won't be enough people to support the chain.
The USPIS also warns, "[d]o not be fooled if the chain letter is used to sell inexpensive reports on credit, mail order sales, mailing lists or other topics. The primary purpose is to take your money, not sell information. 'Selling' a product does not ensure legality. Be doubly suspicious if there's a claim that the US Postal Service or US Postal Inspection Service has declared the letter legal. This is said only to mislead you. Neither the Postal Service nor Postal Inspectors give prior approval to any chain letter."
What should you do if you receive an Internet chain letter? First, don't send any money. Forward any chain letter, no matter how you received it, to your local postmaster or Postal Inspector. Make sure to write on the mailing envelope (if you send it via regular mail) or in a separate transmittal letter, "I received this in the mail and believe it may be illegal."
The US Postal Inspection Service provides additional information about chain letters online as a part of the US Postal Service website. There is also additional information on how to contact the USPS and USPIS at that site.
| PRINT PREVIEW |
| SEARCH THIS SITE |
Links for Non-Frames Version | Current News & Views | | Subject Index of Past Articles | | Chronological Index of Past Articles | | About NFIC | About the National Consumers League | | About the Alliance Against Fraud in Telemarketing | | Telemarketing Fraud | Internet Fraud Watch | | Fraud Against the Elderly | | News & Views | Links | For the Media | | How to Report Fraud & Ask Questions | | Back to Welcome Page (Frames Version) |
NFIC is a project of the National Consumers League. All rights reserved. © 1997.