I’ve had the Starbucks app on my iPhone for so long, I can’t remember when I even started. Just checked but all I discovered was that I’ve had a physical card since 2010. I know I eventually gave in to the app to save the time and to join the ‘Internet Age.’ Before the app though, the card already had an automatic reload parameter.
I probably shouldn’t have set the card up this way for it was the first sign of trouble and it’s a good thing I always receive an e-mail confirming when the Starbucks virtual card taps my main credit card for funds.
I knew I reloaded over the last weekend but it happened again a day later. I didn’t think it about it immediately yet in the back of my mind I had to schedule more time to investigate. It’s a good thing I did. Some asshole went to town with my account in the Phoenix area. Depleted what was present, waited for more money and then continued. I cut it off as soon as I saw the transactions.
How it happened? No idea. Maybe I lost the original physical card? Maybe Starbucks’ reader(s) got hijacked. It didn’t matter anymore.
The real disappointment was working with Starbucks’ support. Given what a loser Howard Schultz was in his self-ordained run to be POTUS, as if America needs another rich asshole from either party, I shouldn’t have been shocked by the outcome.
I do want to make one thing very, very clear. The staff at my local Starbucks in Pflugerville is FANTASTIC. Plus, I honestly can’t think of any physical store ever being an unpleasant experience around Austin, Las Vegas or any other US city I’ve stopped at.
Short version of my gripe. The rep online couldn’t do diddly squat because the fraud was over $25. Ergo, I would have to call the toll free number to get an actual resolution.
Really?
Admittedly, I work on the other end of the line for a living so I know all too well how the majority of Americans/Canadians don’t have half a day to deal with such a non-trivial matter. It’s why I do all I can to make their experience productive and when I cannot get the matter resolved, they still have recourse and/or they don’t have to start over when they call back. I thought chat support was the workaround? Obviously not.
What’s next? I don’t know. The card is suspended and maybe I’ll just pay via my Apple Card to reap the cash back. Live without the freed drink on my birthday. Again, I shouldn’t be surprised to find Starbucks to be behind the eight ball of tech. They originate from Seattle, home of another company which failed to develop a usable smart-phone OS.