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You are here: Experts > Science > Urban Legends and Folklore > Urban Legends > I tried it...
Expert: Cassandra
Date: 10/9/2008
Subject: I tried it...
Question
Hello. I am responding to your comments about "legal" chain letters. I received many of the forementioned letters and usually threw them in the trash can. one day, on a whim, I decided to follow through and see if it really worked. I spent almost $200 for envelopes, stamps, addresses and copy paper/ink. I mailed the "legal chain letter", fulfilling all requirements, including adding my name to the bottom. The original letter claimed that with a minimal 7.5% response, I would have $800,000 in apx. 3 months. Wrong ! I received 4 responses, for a total of $4.00 ! This is the honest truth. I was hoping against hope that it would work. I did receive a letter from a 'list' member. He warned me that the only way that this thing really worked was to sent $5.00 in money order form, made out to the list member of course. He said that U.S. Post Office employees were 'wise' to the so-called 'legal chain letters' and were opening them, removing the $1.00 and throwing the envelope away! His reasoning did make sense, afterall, the intended receiver would not really have a clue so he/she would not be expecting to receive anything...also, the sender would have no way of knowing if his 'add me' request, along with his dollar, had been received on the other end? By using money orders, it would supposedly insure the letters to go to their intended destination...Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
Have you any documented proof that anyone has benifited from this 'legal chain' thing?
Thanks.
Answer
Dear Al,
I have no idea what you're referring to, as none of my responses would EVER indicate that chain letters 'worked' or were legal.
The short answer is, chain letters sent in the US are illegal.
Oh, and they don't work. As you stated.
Link to snopes page with in-depth treatment of subject:
http://www.snopes.com/luck/chain.asp
Link to US Postal Service page on the subject.
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/chainlet.htm
Hope this helps,
Cassandra
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