ZDNet: Social media is replacing hotlines and long wait times as the new and preferred customer service channel — especially when dealing with financial institutions, according to a new report from Javelin Strategy & Research.

                                         

Based on recent events, if you’re trying to get a bank’s attention over a major issue, social media is a pretty constructive and actually direct way to do it these days. Just look at the firestorm that erupted when Bank of America tried to instill a new $5 monthly fee for making purchases with a debit card.

But, as with any type of sensitive information being tossed around online, there are significant risks with this route.