Scam Alert: ‘Prove to Me You Are a Human and Not a Bot’
Journalist Kelly Rissman of New York City had advertised some furniture online with not so much as a nibble when “Jaree” sent a message via the OfferUp resale app asking…
Bev O'Shea
Bev O'Shea is a NerdWallet authority on consumer credit, scams and identity theft. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Auburn University and a master's in education from Georgia State University. Before coming to NerdWallet, she worked for daily newspapers, MSN Money and Credit.com. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, MarketWatch, USA Today, MSN Money and elsewhere. Twitter: @BeverlyOShea.
Posts by Bev O'Shea:
How to Minimize Credit Damage From Medical Bills
If you’re facing big bills from COVID-19 or other medical issues and you’re worried about your credit, keep this in mind: Your credit score can recover if it is badly…
Scam Alert: Avoid a Big Mistake in a New Job
If you’ve just started a new job, criminals may have you in their sights. You’re eager to make a good impression, want to be a team player and are unfamiliar…
When It Can Be a Good Idea to Co-Sign for Your Young Adult
If you’re the parent of a young adult, you may be asked to co-sign for a car loan or an apartment lease. Before you agree, know what’s at stake —…
Scam Alert: How to Spot a Bogus Job
Lots of us grew accustomed to commute-free jobs during the pandemic and are hoping to find a way to continue to work from home. Scammers hoping to capitalize on that…
What Is a FICO Score? FICO Score vs Credit Score
A FICO score is a three-digit number, typically on a 300-850 range, that tells lenders how likely a consumer is to repay borrowed money based on their credit history. What…
Wells Fargo Ends Personal Lines of Credit: What It Means for Consumers
[Update Aug. 19, 2021: After receiving feedback from customers about its plan to close personal lines of credit, Wells Fargo reversed course and will now leave existing credit lines open.…
Scam Alert: Child Tax Credit Is Automatic; No Need to Apply
It almost sounds too good to be true: Most families with kids will start receiving monthly checks for up to $300 per child this summer, starting in mid-July and continuing…
When It’s OK to Let Your Good Credit Score Drop
If you’ve worked hard to achieve and maintain a good credit score, it can be upsetting to see it drop. But “life happens, and sometimes how you react is going…
Scam Alert: Be Skeptical of That ‘Emergency’
I hadn’t heard of the grandparent scam when my father called me a few years ago to report that my son was in jail, out of state. My dad had…
