Trust Issues with Dale Cardwell

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell shines a light on one of the most dangerous home service scams: unqualified electrical work. From flickering lights and tripped breakers to faulty repairs that put entire homes at risk, Dale reveals how hiring the wrong electrician can have consequences far beyond your wallet. Joined by senior producer Marnie Zambri a...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell exposes the contractor scams draining homeowners' bank accounts and leaving renovation dreams in ruins. From unfinished projects and disappearing deposits to sloppy workmanship and broken promises, Dale pulls back the curtain on the costly cons hiding inside the home improvement industry. Joined by senior producer Mar...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell dives into the world of plumbing scams and exposes the costly tricks that can leave homeowners feeling completely drained. From clogged drains and leaking pipes to major sewer line repairs, plumbing emergencies often strike without warning, creating the perfect opportunity for dishonest contractors to take advantage o...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell dives into one of the hottest home renovation trends exploding across America: garage makeovers. From luxury car showcases and home gyms to offices, bars, and bonus living spaces, garages are becoming much more than a place to park the car. But beneath those glossy showroom floors and sleek finishes, some homeowners a...

Moving is supposed to be the beginning of a new chapter… but for many families, it turns into a financial nightmare. In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell exposes the shady side of the moving industry and the scams leaving consumers overcharged, stranded, and separated from everything they own. From lowball estimates that suddenly double on moving day to...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell pulls back the curtain on exterior renovation nightmares and the contractors who leave homeowners stuck with unfinished projects, bad workmanship, and mounting bills. What starts as an exciting home upgrade, like new windows, a porch renovation, or exterior improvements, can quickly spiral into a stressful battle over...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell peels back the layers on a home improvement project that seems simple… until it isn't. Painting may look easy, but behind every smooth finish is a process that requires skill, preparation, and precision. Skip those steps, and the results can be costly. From a homeowner who spent thousands on a paint job riddled with f...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell dives into one of the most expensive and high risk home improvement projects homeowners take on: building an in ground pool. What should be a backyard dream can quickly turn into a financial nightmare when the wrong contractor is hired. Dale and senior producer Marnie Zambri share the story of a couple who did their h...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell steps into one of the most popular—and potentially problematic—home upgrades: bathroom renovations. What should be a dream transformation can quickly spiral into a costly mess when poor workmanship, bad materials, or inexperienced installers get involved. With a mix of humor and hard-earned insight, Dale and senior pr...

Through his company TrustDALE, Emmy award-winning consumer investigator Dale Cardwell applies nearly 30 years of investigative experience to his singular mission: to promote ethical business practices, empower consumers, and expose scammers.   In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell dives into a nightmare that can turn any home into a battleground: bed bugs...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell takes listeners inside one of the most common and costly home improvement traps: roofing scams that strike when homeowners are at their most vulnerable. After sharing his own close call with a devastating tornado, Dale reveals what often follows the storm isn't just cleanup… it's a wave of opportunists. So-called "sto...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell pulls back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood promises in home improvement: the so-called lifetime warranty. What sounds like peace of mind can quickly turn into confusion, frustration, and costly disappointment when homeowners discover that "lifetime" does not always mean what they thought it did. Dale and...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell takes a hard look at one of the fastest-growing financial threats in the digital age: tax scams. What used to be a paper trail has evolved into a digital minefield, where scammers use texts, emails, and spoofed phone calls to trick taxpayers out of millions. From fake refund notifications to aggressive calls claiming...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell takes on the frustrating world of appliance repair, where long wait times, backordered parts, rising costs, and questionable service can leave homeowners feeling helpless. In a Fix breaks down why getting a refrigerator, washer, or other major appliance repaired has become harder than ever, and how consumers can avoid...

Through his company TrustDALE, Emmy award-winning consumer investigator Dale Cardwell applies nearly 30 years of investigative experience to his singular mission: to promote ethical business practices, empower consumers, and expose scammers.   In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell dives into the high cost and hidden danger of pool construction scams. What...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell takes a hard look at handyman scams and the costly mistakes homeowners make when they hire based on price instead of professionalism. What seems like a simple home improvement project can quickly spiral into unfinished work, lost money, and a frustrating battle for accountability. Dale and senior producer Marnie Zambr...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell exposes a two part scam that's spreading through neighborhood social media pages and ending with homeowners getting ripped off by bogus duct cleaning crews. Cleaned or Conned reveals how hackers and fake profiles can turn "trusted neighbor recommendations" into a trap that costs you hundreds, sometimes thousands, and...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell exposes the hidden dangers behind deck building scams and why the cheapest bid can end up costing homeowners far more than they expect. What starts as a simple outdoor upgrade can quickly turn into a financial and safety nightmare when contractors cut corners or disappear mid project. Dale and senior producer Marnie Z...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell tackles a growing problem that affects business owners, workers, and homeowners alike: navigating a job market crowded with risk, shortcuts, and outright scams. Qualified or Questionable takes a close look at how hiring has changed in the post COVID economy and why trust matters more than ever, especially in home serv...

The poet Robert Frost wrote, "Good fences make good neighbors." But they do more than that. Fences can add value, security, privacy and beauty to your home. In this episode, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell sits down with TrustDALE Certified Partner Tony Plagmen of FenceWorks of Georgia to talk about what separates a professional, reputable fencing company from the "quick and cheap" operators h...

In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell takes on one of the most common and expensive homeowner problems today: contractor scams. As high mortgage rates push more homeowners to renovate instead of move, dishonest contractors are taking advantage, leaving families stuck with unfinished projects, missing materials, and drained bank accounts. Dale and senior p...

It's not a subject anyone loves to talk about, but to get scammed by a septic company really STINKS! In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell tackles one of the messiest home service scams around: septic fraud. In Pumped or Played, Dale is joined by TrustDALE Certified Partner Joe Brown of Green Septic Clean and senior producer Marnie Zambri to expose the se...

Our homes are the biggest investment most of us will ever make. And nothing can destroy that investment more than mold, especially after a disaster. In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell exposes a growing and costly home service scam involving mold remediation and disaster restoration. In Oversold Mold, Dale reveals how homeowners facing leaks, floods, or...

There's no scam more personal than having your very identity stolen.  In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell takes on one of the most personal and disruptive crimes facing Americans today: identity theft. In Identity Crisis, Dale and senior producer Marnie Zambri reveal how stolen personal information can unravel finances, security, and peace of mind in wa...

It begins with trust, connection, and a moment of vulnerability that is quickly weaponized into fear, shame and secrecy. .In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell tackles one of the most disturbing and fastest growing online crimes today: sextortion scams. These crimes don't start out with threats or demands for money. Dale and senior producer Marnie Zambri...