Seriously McDonald's – African Americans Pay More Hoax

This story was first published on January 25th, 2012

A racist image, which has circulated via social media websites and email since at least 2010, depicts a sign taped to a window that claims that McDonald’s is now charging African-American customers an extra $1.50 per transaction as “an insurance measure due in part to a recent string of robberies”.

Not surprisingly, the message is a hoax. The McDonald’s Corporation has no such policy. McDonald’s posted the following Twitter message in response to the 2011 incarnation of the hoax:

That pic is a senseless & ignorant hoax McD’s values ALL our customers. Diversity runs deep in our culture on both sides of the counter.

— McDonald’s (@McDonalds) June 11, 2011

It is unclear who created the picture and launched the hoax. Some reports suggest that the picture was first posted on the 4Chan message board.

In a strange extra twist, the phone number shown in the image was actually a customer satisfaction number for KFC.

Please do not repost this racist and offensive material.

Subject: Seriously McDonald’?

PLEASE NOTE:

As an insurance measure due in part to a recent string of robberies, African-American customers are now required to pay an additional fee of $1.50 per transaction.

Thank you for your cooperation,

McDonald’s Corporation

(800) 225-5532