Trust Issues with Dale Cardwell

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...

Most of us do our banking by phone these days, but that convenience comes at a cost. In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell dives into one of the fastest growing and most misunderstood scams in America: counterfeit check fraud. In Cashed or Crashed, Dale and senior producer Marnie Zambri reveal how scammers are exploiting trust, outdated banking systems, a...

There are few things more exciting than hearing you've won something or are in line to receive an unexpected windfall of cash. In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell uncovers the devastating reality behind advance fee scams, where the promise of a life changing windfall turns into financial wipeout. From fake sweepstakes winnings to phony lottery payouts,...

Online shopping has become the norm for most of us. In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell takes on online shopping scams that leave victims empty handed, emotionally drained, and wondering what went wrong. From fake puppy listings to deceptive holiday deals, Deal or Steal exposes how scammers and shady sellers exploit convenience, emotion, and urgency in...

Justice may be blind, but these days, she's also slow. In this episode of the Trust Issues Podcast, consumer investigator Dale Cardwell examines a troubling consequence of the post-COVID world: a justice system slowed by backlogs that leave victims waiting and scammers walking free. Justice Delayed takes a hard look at how pandemic era court shutdowns created ripple effects that are still hurting...

The pandemic sent many businesses, nonprofits and individuals into an economic tailspin. Government bailouts helped many stay afloat. But they also gave scammers a new way to exploit people in desperate situations. In this episode, you'll meet Lola. Lola's efforts to save her nonprofit nearly cost her everything thanks to this new breed of scams. And you can learn from her mistakes. Through his co...

So much of life has moved on-line, including the search for our next place to live. But that's opened the door for rental scams. In this episode, you'll meet Corey, who thought he'd found the perfect downtown Atlanta apartment. But in reality, a scammer had found his next victim. Learn the mistakes to avoid when looking for a place to call home. Through his company TrustDALE, Emmy award-winning co...

We'd all be lost without our phones. But they also give scammers a direct line to us. In this episode of Trust Issues, you'll meet Cathy. Her simple response to a text message nearly cost her thousands, until we stepped in to help her get her money back. Through his company TrustDALE, Emmy award-winning consumer investigator Dale Cardwell applies nearly 30 years of investigative experience to his...

Looking for love online can bring a happy ending. But it also brings scammers out of the woodwork. In this episode, you'll hear the heartbreaking story of Donna, who thought she'd found love but instead found a fraudster who turned her life upside down. Through his company TrustDALE, Emmy award-winning consumer investigator Dale Cardwell applies nearly 30 years of investigative experience to his s...

In the wake of widespread unemployment, scammers are exploiting the people who suddenly and unexpectedly find themselves searching for a job. In this episode, you'll meet Jennifer. Her search for work yielded what seemed to be a dream job- until that dream turned into a nightmare. Hear how we turned the tables on a scammer before the situation went from bad to worse. Through his company TrustDALE,...