I have been receiving letters telling me to send $1.00 to each of 6 names on a list. Then I pay approx $40.00 to a company that sends me a mailing list and I send the same letter (this time with my name added) to 200 people. They say you can earn up to $800,000 dollars in 20-90 days doing this. This letter is supposed to be originated by a guy named Dick Hollimn (that is how the last name is spelled). The letter also says that this was positively reported on "Oprah Winfrey and ABC's investigation team 20/20 also prove prove it can be done". I want to know if anybody has tried this or something similar and if it has worked? Please be honest and not mean. Thanks
2006-10-07 06:48:07 · 12 answers · asked by TrueBelle 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
This was not an email. This was an actual letter sent thru the U.S. postal service.
2006-10-07 06:55:46 · update #1
This is a very old chain letter scam that is not only useless, it's illegal to partiipate in. Throw it away.
2006-10-07 06:51:05 · answer #1 · answered by Hunter J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is most definetly a scam in my opinion. No way can that be true, even if Oprah says it was real. A lot of people go to Oprah and pay her to say good things about this or that to get publicity. Honestly I think nothing like this can be done, the closest thing to that in my life that was true was I won an iPod on the radio by going to the place they were at and I was the first there. So it's gotta be a scam for sure.
2006-10-07 14:00:22 · answer #2 · answered by A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the United States Post Office
"chain letters are illegal if they request money or other items of value and promise a substantial return to the participants. Chain 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) violates Title 18, United States Code, Section 1302, the Postal Lottery Statute. (Chain letters that ask for items of minor value, like picture postcards or recipes, may be mailed, since such items are not things of value within the meaning of the law.)"
See the entire article at the US Post office link: http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/chainlet.htm
A chain letter is a "get rich quick" scheme that promises that your mail box will soon be stuffed full of cash if you decide to participate. You're told you can make thousands of dollars every month if you follow the detailed instructions in the letter.
A typical chain letter includes names and addresses of several individuals whom you may or may not know. You are instructed to send a certain amount of money--usually $5--to the person at the top of the list, and then eliminate that name and add yours to the bottom. You are then instructed to mail copies of the letter to a few more individuals who will hopefully repeat the entire process. The letter promises that if they follow the same procedure, your name will gradually move to the top of the list and you'll receive money -- lots of it.
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/chainlet.htm
2006-10-07 15:20:51 · answer #3 · answered by Piggiepants 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its a bunch of baloney. In theory, it works. I tried it several years ago. I didnt get squat. The company that sells the mailing list is the only one that makes any money.
2006-10-07 13:56:57 · answer #4 · answered by tmills883 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most definately a scam. Never give money to anyone promising riches over the internet. No respectable company would ever use this method to get you to give them money.
2006-10-07 13:53:09 · answer #5 · answered by NoSuchThing 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just received this type of chain letter. I am going to do it. In theory it will work. It is a simple matter of RISK to REWARD.
2013-12-14 13:55:54 · answer #6 · answered by Paulie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in therory it will work, people will send $1 to you and you can make money, the company selling the names to people like you are getting $40 for each new person that signs up, so they are raking in the money.... whether or not it is legal???? well i am not sure, it almost sounds like a pyramid.... look into it before giving you info to them.
2006-10-07 13:53:55 · answer #7 · answered by who be boo? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
technically it can / does work. people do that with book clubs aswell. its a good idea but it depends whether you're being scammed. i think the likelyhood is you are being scammed.sorry.
myspace.com/peacefulbloodshed
2006-10-07 13:51:12 · answer #8 · answered by peaceful bloodshed 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an illegal chain letter.
2006-10-07 14:07:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
scam seen it on operah tho. i got them too for ever
2006-10-07 13:52:53 · answer #10 · answered by courtneyjean 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋