McDonald's Credit Card Holder Has One Whopper Of A Bill

McDonald's Restaurant's McVISA fast-food credit card.

Josie Amblin is a part-time student, part-time worker, and a full-time McVISA user. Josie, 22, is one of thousands of McVISA cardholders unable to stop purchasing food on credit from McDonald's restaurants.

Josie admits to using her McDonald's issued credit card at least ten times per week, and she is already over her $1,500 established credit limit.

"I can't stop," cried Josie, who doesn't deny she has a spending problem. "It's just so easy to purchase a burger and fries with credit. I know I can't afford to eat at McDonald's this often, but I can't help myself! I'm a susceptible consumer who's vulnerable to almost any retail marketing strategy."

Phil Lalibert, an economics professor at York University, says that people are not fiscally responsible when it comes to purchasing fast-food on their restaurant chain credit cards.

Josie Amblin has her McVISA card ready for her next purchase.

"A couple of cheeseburgers here, a fresh baked apple pie there, one or two McMuffins in the morning...it all adds up," said Lalibert, who himself enjoys the occasional Big Mac, but prefers to purchase the sandwich with cash.

"People like Josie get caught in the fast-food credit trap," continued Phil. "The first time they use the McVISA, they're given a bonus--like an upgrade to a large shake, or a free Teenie Baby. After that, they're hooked. "

Bart Hirschfeld, founder of the Canadian Credit Crisis Counseling Consortium, has been counseling credit-crazed Canadians for several years.

"These Canadians are living beyond their means," said Hirschfeld. "I will admit, I've never seen anyone with with a $2,100 balance until I met Josie. I know I'm supposed to be helping, but Jesus that girl has got to have a super-sized eating disorder!"

In addition to McVISA users, Hirschfeld counsels individuals who have problems with the "Dairy Queen Debit Card", Wendy's "Whopper Card", and Burger King's "King Kredit Kard."