Don’t Get Me Wrong, I’m Mailing It Out Right Away
Has anyone else started getting chain letters recently—physical, printed (well, poorly photocopied) chain letters sent through the mail? I’ve gotten two of basically the same one in the past couple of months. Prior to this, I hadn’t seen a non-virtual chain letter since probably the early 1980s.
In the most recent one I received, from someone in Tehachapi, CA, the photocopying is so many generations removed from the original as to be barely legible. The name of the company from which you’re supposed to order a mailing list, and the price of that list, are in fact illegible:
I presume it’s “Data Line” and it sort of looks like $40.00, but it could also almost be “Dalai Lama” and $110.00. I’m tempted to call the 800 number just to see if a Tibetan answers.
I enjoyed the subsequent instructions:
The best part is that the names come on self-adhesive labels that you peel and stick right to an envelope.
Really? Right to an envelope? There’s no intermediate step involved after the peeling? Anyway, I appreciate their spelling out what “self-adhesive” means.
Go to your local Post Office and purchase 200 of their 37-cent stamps and place them on the envelopes. (They sell rolls of 100 stamps that are self-adhesive.)
I might have even better luck with 39-cent stamps, since the postal rates went up, oh, a year ago. But again, the thoroughness in telling me I must place the stamps on the envelopes is appreciated.
Thankfully, the disturbing “So-and-so broke the chain and also his neck” threats I recall from bygone chain letters are absent.
Weren’t the monetary type of chain letters of old simply pyramid schemes, intended to enrich their nominal originators? The “buy a mailing list” angle seems new. So I suspect the re-emergence of the chain letter results from the Dalai Lama, or maybe some company called Data Line, realizing they couldn’t hack it in the increasingly competitive world of online spam, and opting for a USPS-based scam.
Oh, and page 2 of this letter begins: “My name is Dick Hollman.”
Comments
Did you try this program before you dismissed it? Do you know anyone who has tried it? If not, why not try to see if it works or at least contacting someone to see if it works?
http://dickhollman.blogspot.com
Posted by: Nikki | May 27, 2007 1:56 PM
I’m sure the blogger didn’t try it because IT’S ILLEGAL and it’s the oldest one on the books! Get a brain, nikki!
Posted by: concerned | August 7, 2007 9:31 PM
I received two essentially identical Dick Holman letters this week. I, too, was flabbergasted at the re-emergence of the old-fashioned snail mail chain letter. Then yesterday, a friend of mine in San Diego received one. They’re back, baby!
Posted by: JOhn | August 31, 2007 8:27 AM
I got one just today. YEARS ago I recall getting oh about 1 or 2 every six months or so..... I just actually wonder if ANYONE really DOES send these people money???????????????
Posted by: Jane | October 5, 2007 7:38 PM
Yes, I’m doing this right now. If everyone follows the directions exactly, IT WILL WORK. In fact, my boyfriend’s cousin did something like this and ended up with $25,000. The math behind it seems solid. I figure it’s better odds than playing the lottery. The key is doing exactly what the letter says, which I fear most people won’t do. But I’m giving it a try. I spent about $150 bucks on stamps, envelopes, and copies plus the $45.00 to Dataline (which is a real company, by the way)for the 200 names. If I lose the money, oh well. Life goes on. Things like this only work if everyone works together. As far as the legality, it is of course questionable, so if this works, I’m not going to make a habit of doing it again.
Posted by: Emily | November 28, 2007 1:02 PM
I have received this letter 3 times in the past 4 months now. And am beginning to contemplate doing it. The girl who commented above me, I hope she checks back and lets us all know how she does! I need some reassurance before I give it a shot!
Posted by: Shayna | November 28, 2007 9:19 PM
To All: I too was tempted by this letter but go to this website for more info:
http://demo.capris.com/Makemoremoney/investigate.cfm
Posted by: lynn | December 2, 2007 11:26 AM
This scam is listed as Illegal in the United States by multiple U.S. agencies. The maximum fine is listed as $100,000 dollars for ANYONE who participates in it. Even if you are selling a product you nust have a Business License to do so. It is legal to mail which is how he gets away with stating it’s legal. But he’s telling a partial truth. It is very illegal because you do not have the business license and it is a pyramid regardless of the limited excuse he gives why it’s not. He only gives a partial description of what a pyramid scheme is. This scam will be cracked down on harshly this time arround. You’ve been warned!
Posted by: Michael | December 10, 2007 12:03 PM
For your info: the FBI INternet Illegal Porn and Internet fraud divisions has tracked this scam and like Ip adresses to it arround the world. The same IP address is poping up all over on sites saying this letter worked for them. The catch is it is different unconfirmed stories that sound legit but from the same IP addresses over and over. Hince the stories are false positives that this scam works. It is also listed as illegal by the US Gov and Australia is confronting it currently. In case you don’t know what an IP address is, it is the address on your Internal Processor of your computer. Congress has passed lows allowing this address to be tracked by any server or agency on the internet. The combined records show that the same IP addresses is showing up all accross the world wide web in attemp to cover up tis scam. Do not be fooled, it IS ILLEGAL on 3 seperate accounts! You can be fined on just one of the accounts by as much as even $100,000 just for participating even if you make no money from it!
Posted by: Deb | December 10, 2007 12:13 PM
Hello everybody!
first, I notice a ton of traffic on my site.. people searching “dataline maillist”
#1 it isnt me or my company
#2 its a scam!
#3 if somebody sends you something in the mail promising to make you money.. ignore it, if it worked they would be doing it and not sharing with you.
Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Joel | December 17, 2007 12:40 PM
I just called one of the people who were listed on my letter received Jan 25, 2008. I googled her and was actually surprised to see a real address beased upon the comments stating that the address were not real people. So, I went to whitepages.com and found her phone number. I called her and asked if she had sent in her dollar to the 6 people to get on the list (that is what my letter says). Guess what; she had NO CLUE what I was talking about. She had never engaged in the mailing, didn’t know anything about the letter, and now now is very concerned that her personal address is floating around out there for for crazy person to find her. It’s kind of creepy. THAT sold me; this is a scam!
Posted by: tonya | January 26, 2008 3:27 PM
I just received the same letter today and have no clue where these people got my name and address. This is the second of the same type of letter I’ve received in the last two weeks. How are these people getting info?
Posted by: Mary | February 21, 2008 2:46 PM
SCAM! People...do not waste your money with this. If you think it is only $6...think again. By the time you get your mailing list, stamps, paper, copies and your time, you are in over $300. Give that money to a charity if your going to spend it. I have a website..(http://www.SexyTimeProducts.com) This is a work at home business but is very, very time consuming. I have a programer working on this daily from the UK and spend thousands in advertising and page rankings every month.
My point is this started as a work at home businss where you could make thousands a week or even day. It was free to sign up so i did and made a few sales but Google advertising is not cheap. I decided i was going to make it work and so far so good. I did about 3 months of research on work from home businesses and mailings and so on. They are all scams. If you want to make money and be lazy...rob a bank. If you want to make money online....email me and i will tell you exactly what you need to do..and for FREE. I am sick of people getting scammed and when i was first starting out in the website biz i said i would help out other when i made good money. I worked my ass off though but get to work from home everyday and hey..$25,000 a month is not a bad living.
Want the real way to do it..email me at rjd2k3@yahoo.com and I promise a response. Again, My advice will be free and to the point.
Peace!
Posted by: Ryan | February 25, 2008 4:07 PM
The Truth Behind The Dick Hollman “LETTER”
MY PERSONAL NOTE TO YOU
I am a sower participating in the Dick Hollman teaching, (letter) but most of all I am a true believer of the word of God and a strict Bible (based on facts) studier.
I really want to tell those who may think that this letter is a SCAM. This is definitely NOT A SCAM!
The definition of the word SCAM means:
1) Dishonest scheme: a scheme for making money by dishonest means
2) Trick somebody: to obtain money or other goods from somebody by dishonest means
The Dick Hollman “letter” has no qualifications connected with the above definitions. Actually, if you know anything about seed sowing this is exactly what this letter is based upon.
The Dick Hollman “Letter” is also not a pyramid. A pyramid pays the one that is on the top first...not everyone. Although pyramiding is a very popular method used by many foreigners that come to our country to help one another succeed financially.
This system is used by many Koreans. I once had a Korean friend which explained how he and his family used this method when they arrived in the United States. I’m sure we’ve all noticed how prosperous they are in businesses like wig shops, beauty supply store’s and corner grocery stores in many of our neighborhoods.
Pyramiding goes a little something like this:
One person may get a loan for a small business after they open their business. They set a financial goal lets say it is $100,000 after they make a $100,000 they give that same business to another Korean family or family member they make 100,000 then that same business is passed to another Korean family etc, etc. This is pyramiding.
But the Dick Hollman Letter is a little different and it is also not against the law. This program is structured to help others, this is a legitimate business, this is why they are putting a note along with their $1.00 requesting to have their name put on your mailing list (this is what they are paying for. Nothing else!) How can this be illegal? Don’t let people scare you out of your blessing so easily without taking time to understand what you are doing, this is a business by showing others how to succeed in live.
You are now in the “mail order business” and the dollar they are sending you is for service rendered your services is to do exactly what they are requesting (put their name’s on your mailing list) This is a business and with any business you must pay your taxes on money obtained and the letter instructs you to do this also. The letter stresses to follow the instructions if those who particapate dishonestly will reap what they sow... meaning you have to pay taxes on a business, period, no “if’s” about it. Those who choose not to pay taxes makes this illegal.
Please don’t listen to unknowledgeable people that may cause you to miss a blessing and a “Great Biblical” teaching. This is for EVERYONE interested in taking part in a program that teaches us how to help one another by teaching us to harvest from their return through others. This “letter” is so simple but powerful. It teaches us how to help one another meet our financial goals, which is very much needed through times like now.
This does work! And it will work for you if you follow the instructions and do it in honesty. Don’t cut the corner, put your name in the #6 spot as instructed taking off the #1 name, mail your 200 copies and let your seed grow.
If this letter is not followed exactly and is done in dishonesty, dishonesty is what you’ll harvest if you choose to do this. Don’t discourage anyone else because you decide to cut corners or put your name where it doesn’t belong, and don’t remove the names that were on your list when you received it.
The people on the list have done their parts and sowed their 200 copies and is now waiting for their harvest to come in. So if you choose to be dishonest and not sent those who are awaiting their harvest from their labour.
James 5:4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. (a) “sabaoth” = armies, or hosts. - Strongs #4519 “sabaoth” - a military epithet of God.
So if you choose to be dishonest God hears and see’s everything that has been taken from the righteous and has many appointed to do just that as the definition above explains.
So please mail the $1.00 to the 6 names first before you even start mailing your letters. This is their harvest being returned through you and many others.
So follow the letters instructions, be HONEST don’t try to get something for nothing. You are going to reap exactly what you have sown. We live in a society that we all have to work for what we receive, so don’t think this program will prove any different. This requires a little work to be done such as make copies, get your labels, possibly having to get return letters back out into circulation due to unexpected moves etc.
Remember the well known saying: A failure ia a failure, until you give it a try. But most importantly we should aways remember the word of the God said it best in...
Ecclesiastes 11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
At first I was skeptic too, I threw the letter on my dresser but my spirit kept pushing me to read and absorb the method behind this program. I understood exactly what this program was geared to do, and that was to teach people how to help one another a simple method of seed sowing. This is a biblical concept connected to all aspects of our lives, sow good and you’ll reap good and the same for bad. Why would it be any different when it comes down to your money being sown? You sow money and you also reap money.
Seed sowing is biblical and was taught by Christ himself concerning all aspects of our lives (you reap what you sow rather it be good or bad) one of Christ’s teaching stated in:
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, (that) shall he also reap.
The verse above says (WHATSOEVER) a man soweth (THAT) shall he also reap (meaning you reap in the same matter in which it was sown) For instance, if you sowed an apple seed in the ground you would not expect a banana tree from it would you? Of course not!
The word (that) used in the verse above is a >pronoun & >determiner used to identify a (specific thing).
So if you sow an apple seed in the ground, you get a tree that produces APPLES. If you sow good you will reap GOOD things the same goes for evil. So why would this biblical rule be any different for money being sown?
Just think if 30, 60, or 100 thousand people sent you a dollar! The math is amazing! You to can be blessed as well after you start sowing your 200 letters with your name on this list done honestly.
How could a Bible-based rule be called a SCAM this is totally un-educated quotes from those who know absolutely nothing about the bible teaching on the subject of sowing and reaping.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete (meet) withal it shall be measured to you again.
The church has been using this method for years, the only difference is that they get richer and we don’t. I find their teaching to be somewhat one sided. Someone hasn’t told us the total truth on seed and harvest. You can’t just sow, sow, sow, and get nothing in return! Remember when you sow seed, that seed has to grow SOMETHING especially if it’s in good ground. God’s word does not lie.. Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, (that) shall he also reap.
The definition MOCKED -- means to prevent something from succeeding in a way that causes frustration or humiliation.
You have to understand that God is not preventing this teaching from succeeding as concerning the Dick Hollman “letter” which has been base so close to the Biblical teaching, in bringing forth a monetary harvest for you.
God’s word is not going to make you feel FRUSTRATED or HUMILIATED, this is coming from those who are not educated in the method of sowing and reaping, and they refuse to go along with this “letter” because they have never been taught to do this or even expect to receive a money blessing back in this manner.
This Dick Hollman “letter” teaches us no different from the teaching given in many church’s and Houses of Worship today they teach the same Biblical method and that is to give, give, give. The only difference with the Dick Hollman teaching “letter” He shows us how to receive what you have sown and more of your harvest back in same matter it was sown... money,
We have to start teaching people that it is ok for us to practice this method, a method that show us how to help one another by sowing seed into each others lives and expect them to do the same by educating them on this method of giving, and knowing that you WILL REAP WHAT YOU HAVE SOWN a $1.00 at a time, if it is done in honesty.
If there has ever been a time it is now for people to pull together and help each other. Gas prices are getting higher and it’s causing food prices to sky rocket, we are not getting paid what we are worth at our jobs. The government isn’t making any effort to help us financially, there isn’t any talk about adjusted cost of living raises in the making. Our politicians aren’t reacting fast enough to make a difference, we have to start helping each other. If we do so hopefully we will be able to reach our hopes and dreams.
I can not tell you if Mr. Dick Holman had this concept of sowing and reaping in mind when he introduced this letter. I can tell you this for sure that God surely had to be with him to touch his heart to be able to put together a system, that simply teaches people how to help one another financially.. If you want me to send you the letter I have been using you can contact me at calledtohelp@yahoo.com
Haggai 1:6 ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
May the Lord lead and bless you in your decision
to join in with us as seed sowers... Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
God Bless you all
Faith,
Posted by: faith | May 15, 2008 10:09 PM
I am giving this letter a try and will let you know. Here goes nothing if not $200 bucks.
Good luck to all,
Kemp
Posted by: Kemp | June 23, 2008 3:09 PM
why are people putting their names on this mailing list?
what is the mailing list supposed to be for?
WHAT MAILING LIST?!!!?!?!
WHY? WHY? WHY!!!!!!
can someone PLEASE answer that HONESTLY???
Posted by: coolkid | June 25, 2008 5:33 PM
FAITH that is foolishnesss,
not the truth. scam scam scam. whenever you offer somebody nothing for something it’s a scam.
Posted by: Honestly | June 25, 2008 5:44 PM
FAITH that is foolishnesss,
not the truth. scam scam scam. whenever you offer somebody nothing for something it’s a scam.
Posted by: Honestly | June 25, 2008 5:44 PM
this is to honestly. your not getting something for nothing. you are in fact putting time and effort and yes some money into recieving money. however i to am skeptical about this letter. but it wasnt mailed to me. i was told about it from my cousin. I have actually contacted one of the sixk ppl on the list that i recieved and he told me it was legit. I also 411 the addresses of three other ppl on the list and they matched the ones on the letters. I will not try this until i here back from my cousin. but if he wants to start it for me, whynot. HE HAS made money that i was questionable about, until he told me how he made it. Again this seems legit and on the second hand it seems like a scam. But i am alsmot 100% possible its not illegal. I advise people to try it if you have 200$ to drop. otherwise enjoy your lives and have a good day.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 29, 2008 6:22 PM
that was my comment above. ppl maybe skeptical if its posted by someone anonymous
Posted by: Jamon Mc. | June 29, 2008 6:23 PM
Well, if it worked I would be receiving thousands of pieces of mail in my mailbox. The Post Office would have a fit.
Also, the people above who said thatthey would try and report to us--never did.
Posted by: Janina | July 8, 2008 4:20 PM
This is to Faith and others who say this is not a scam. This is a scam. It is also very very illegal in these United States. I know for a fact that not only can you be fined at least $100,000.00 (one hundred thousand dollars) for each instance, there is also prison time involved. The minimum is 5 years for mail fraud. Adding yourself to a mailing list does NOT make this legal. I know this because I did this mailing 10 years ago and was notified by the USPS that it violates the very sections of the title code the letter says it does not violate. Plus, I have a family member that works for the post office. I belatedly checked with him and was told that it was definitely illegal and was prosecutable under the fullest extent of the law. IT WAS THEN AND IS NOW A SCAM!!!! “A fool and his money are soon parted.”
Posted by: Kelly Harvey | July 12, 2008 4:11 PM
WHY ALL THE NEGATIVE RESPONSE??????
QUOTE”YOU CAN GET ANYTHING YOU WANT IN LIFE IF YOU HELP OTHER PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY WANT”
BELIEVE IN THE SECRET!THE UNIVERSE KNOWS.
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECIEVE> JUST BELIEVE!!
YOUR NEGATIVE RESPONSE WILL GET YOU BACK 10 FOLDS
ALOHA
Posted by: DAPONO1 | July 24, 2008 2:19 AM
To Faith...forget about the whole “letter” subject, quit using the Bible to justify your means to an end. Shame to you.
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Posted by: usboarder | July 24, 2008 6:06 PM