I'm pretty sure you have received a chain letter in your mailbox at least once or twice in your life. Chain letters usually ask the recipient to make copies of the letter and “pass it on" to others. The most popular method of finding new recipients is through direct mail. Direct mail involves purchasing a mailing list of names and addresses of other “business opportunity seekers." Then you mail the chain letter to this list of people. Often you are encouraged to send $1, $5, $10, or even more money to the person who sent you the chain letter. Many times the chain letter will come with a pyramid that includes several individuals who you are required to send money to. If you have any e-mail accounts you've probably come across several dozens of chain letters with various sales pitches. In these kinds of chain letters you will be asked to make your payment through paypal or another online e-commerce account.



So what's the deal with this chain letter business? Are they just hype or can you follow their directions and get rich as the ads claim? Read on for the truth you must know about chain letters.

The first problem is that chain letters are illegal: Contrary to what many of these chain letters claim, they are illegal. I have seen many of these kinds of chain letters in the past and 99% of them defend themselves by quoting postal codes that supposable justify “gifting" money or paying $1 to be added to a mailing list. The reality is chain letters are illegal. Please do not believe these false claims made in the chain letters you are receiving in your mailbox or e-mail account(s).

The second problem is an outdated strategy: I’ve held many discussions with people who have tried chain letters in the past. Some had success, some had failure. Opinions vary weather chain letters have ever worked at all. But almost everyone I’ve ever talked to about their experience with chain letters agrees that chain letters are now outdated! What do I mean by this? Chain letters may have worked back in the 1960s or 1970s. I know a man who is in his 50s who tried chain letters back in the 1970s. He actually made several thousand dollars! But that was in 1970s! The problem with these gifting programs of today is that they are outdated. We live in the proverbial Age of Information now. Many, including me, agree that society is becoming too sophisticated to fall for the absurd claims made in these chain letters.

The third problem is false earning claims: Many chain letters claim you can make an investment of $1 to each person on the list. Then you reproduce the letter, add your name in the lowest position, and send them off to addresses you buy for “business opportunity seekers." Then you are supposed to wait until money floods your mailbox by the hundred thousands. According to my experience, I have never received any more than $20 total sending out chain letters. In other words, I never have broken even on my initial investment. Remember you have to make copies of the chain letter. It will probably suggest you make no less than 200 copies. If you get them copied at 7 cents apiece that cost you $14. But don’t forget most chain letters you get in the mail are at least 6 pages or 3 front and back. $14 x 6 = $84. Then you need 200 envelopes: Let’s say you buy boxes of fifty for $1 a box. That cost you $4. Then you need stamps: Stamps cost 37 cents X 200 = $74. Then you need a mailing list: You can probably get a good mailing list of fresh “business opportunity seekers" for $70, including shipping and handling. You’ve got everything you need now (200 copies of the entire chain letter, 200 envelopes, 200 stamps, and a mailing list of 200 names and addresses). And all it has cost you is $232. Think about that? Even if you got super lucky and 200 people actually sent you $1 you’d still come up short by $32. Every time I’ve tried chain letter schemes in the past this is what has happened to me.

The fourth problem is an oversimplified concept to begin with: My philosophy is that you get what you pay for in life. Do you actually believe that 800,000 people are going to send you a dollar they stuffed in an envelope? Besides, even if they did the only beneficiaries would be dishonest mail handlers. Think of how much attention you’d draw to yourself if you actually received 800,000+ letters in the mail, from all across America. The entire concept of getting rich with chain letter is ludicrous.

Conclusion

There have been thousands of people who have fallen victim of chain letter scams. People who simply want to earn an extra income from the comfort of their homes find themselves cheated by con artists who take advantage of their financial situation. No doubt there are legitimate companies out there offering real work at home opportunities for those interested. Unfortunately, home based business scams are at an all time high. It has become harder to find legitimate work from home operations. So, if you are planning on trying one of those chain letters you've gotten in your mailbox or e-mail, use common sense and the guidelines above to avoid falling victim to these infamous scams!