Types of Chain Letters

The adaption of chain letters to the computer age means they are no longer dependent on traditional mail delivery.

In 1899, author Mary Mapes Dodge described the chain letter as an "unmitigated nuisance." Dodge's disdain for chain letters was due in part to the expense involved in purchasing postage. This particular concern has been mitigated as chain letters have easily transitioned to the computer age and the widespread use of email. An email-based chain letter can now be distributed in real time with seemingly little or no cost to the recipient. This change has incentivized the evolution of a number of different types of chain letters and made it easier than ever before to keep the chain alive.

Political

Political chain letters are often used to spread misinformation about opponents. A viral chain letter campaign can allow the claim to be promulgated for years into the future. For example, during the 2004 Presidential election campaign, a text in chain letter format asserted that then-President George W. Bush was using drugs to control depression and erratic behavior. The BreakThisChain.com site asserted that the email was a rumor and encouraged users to "break the chain."

The rise of these types of chain letters has encouraged the creation of sites such as Snopes.com, BreakTheChain.org and VMyths.com to debunk or confirm the content of such chain letters.

Dangerous

Efforts to defraud or harm the reader constitute perhaps the most damaging of chain letters. These letters may direct the reader to perform a harmful act such as deleting a needed file from his computer under the pretense of preventing a virus. The chain letter may be passed on if it instructs the reader to send the letter to friends and family in a so-called effort to help them avoid the fictional virus.

Hoax

Chain letter hoaxes are designed to encourage the reader to forward the chain by promising a reward or benefit. For instance, in 1999 Microsoft posted a warning on its website informing the public about a chain letter hoax which purported to offer hundreds of dollars to those who continued the chain. Official warnings, however, often do not always stop such hoaxes; they may continue on to unsuspecting Internet users for years despite warnings and announcements.

Urban Legend

Urban legend chain letters contain stories so unbelievable that recipients often want to share the stories with others. Chain letters with urban legends are so sensationalized that they may not even need to contain instructions to forward. For example, at some point around the year 2000, a chain email began circulating. The email referred to detailed plans to clone Jesus and it spread to many Internet users. The chain letter, however, also attempted to solicit donations for a group known as "The Second Coming Project."

References

• "St. Nicholas"; The Chain-Letter System, Mary Mapes Dodge, 1899
• "Tech Republic"; Top 10 sites to debunk urban legends
• "Oklahoma Department of Homeland Security"; Identifying Hoaxes and Urban Legends
• Snopes.com: Microsoft/AOL Giveaway
• Snopes.com: The Second Coming Project
• BreakThatChain.org: Time For Your Meds, Mr. President