Customer service on Twitter proves to be quite the experience
endif; ?>Given the standard definition of a serious data breach — one that involves a store where I shop regularly – this morning’s news about Target had me genuinely concerned about my credit cards and bank accounts.
But rather than don my press hat – or, perish the thought, call customer service — I decided to engage my card issuers on the matter via Twitter. The results were surprisingly satisfying … and I didn’t spend so much as a second on hold.
Here’s the tweet I sent to American Express:

Others just like it were sent to VISA, Discover, Bank of America and Target itself.
American Express couldn’t have been more reassuring … or pleasant.

Bank of America made it clear they have my back.

Same with Discover, even though I don’t actually possess a Discover card.

Capital One tweeted back that I’d have to follow them and send a direct message in order to get their Twitter help, which seemed like too much trouble, especially since I don’t have a Capital One card, either.
All in all, my questions were answered in a timely manner without any hassle. (Yes, it’s possible one or all read my Twitter bio and realized that I’m a journalist, but I doubt that happened because that would have likely prompted them to send me to PR.)
Oh, and Target didn’t respond at all. Can’t say that surprised me.
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