In this age of electronic communication, receiving a chain letter through the mail may seem a little odd. But local authorities said there was good reason to be suspicious.

Alexander City police said they have received verbal complaints from residents about a suspicious chain letter being distributed through the mail. According to department spokesman Lt. Randy Walters, the chain letter in question guaranteed that a participant would receive $7,000 through the mail by only spending a few dollars and a little time sending the letter to 20 other people.