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   Inspection Service Shield
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   Chain Letters
   
   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.
   
   There's at least one problem with chain letters. They're 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,
   are may be mailed, since such items are not things of value within the
   meaning of the law.)
   
   Recently, high-tech chain letters have begun surfacing. They may be
   disseminated over the Internet, or may require the copying and mailing
   of computer disks rather than paper. Regardless of what technology is
   used to advance the scheme, if the mail is used at any step along the
   way, it is still illegal.
   
   The main thing to remember is that a chain letter is simply a bad
   investment. You certainly won't get rich. You will receive little or
   no money. The few dollars you may get will probably not be as much as
   you spend making and mailing copies of the chain letter.
   
   Chain letters don't work because the promise that all participants in
   a chain letter will be winners is mathematically impossible. Also,
   many people participate, but do not send money to the person at the
   top of the list. Some others create a chain letter that lists their
   name numerous times--in various forms with different addressee. So, in
   reality, all the money in a chain is going to one person.
   
   Do 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 to sell information.
   "Selling" a product does not ensure legality. Be doubly suspicious if
   there's a claim that the U.S. Postal Service or U.S. 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.
   
   Participating in a chain letter is a losing proposition. Turn over any
   chain letter you receive that asks for money or other items of value
   to your local postmaster or nearest Postal Inspector. Write on the
   mailing envelope of the letter or in a separate transmittal letter, "I
   received this in the mail and believe it may be illegal."