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 producer Marnie Zambri revisit real cases involving contractors who talked a good game, took large payments, and then disappeared or held homeowners' property hostage. From long running renovation schemes to repeat offenders still scamming victims years later, the episode shows how some contractors manipulate the system while continuing to operate in plain sight.

To help homeowners avoid becoming the next cautionary tale, Dale is joined by Kieran Murphy of TrustDALE Certified All Weather Renovations. Kieran explains what separates legitimate contractors from rogue operators, why written estimates and verified references matter, and how pricing models, permits, payment schedules, and change orders can make or break a project.

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.

TrustDALE.com connects consumers and companies with service providers who have passed Dale's seven point investigative process to ensure top quality work at a fair price. TrustDALE backs every job with a Make It Right Guarantee.

Since its launch, TrustDALE has recovered more than $1.5 million in goods and services for consumers while connecting great businesses with great customers every day.

#consumerprotection #consumeradvice #consumerinvestigator #dalecardwell #trustdaletv #trustdale #consumeradvocate

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 septic scams that strike when homeowners are already in panic mode.

From toilets backing up to mysterious "invisible leaks," the episode breaks down how dishonest operators take advantage of urgency, confusion, and embarrassment to drain bank accounts instead of septic tanks. Joe walks listeners through the most common septic scams, including pump and dump schemes, bait and switch pricing, fake certifications, and scare tactics about nonexistent laws and leaks.

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.

TrustDALE.com connects consumers and companies with service providers who have passed Dale's seven point investigative process to ensure top quality work at a fair price. TrustDALE backs every job with a Make It Right Guarantee.

Since its launch, TrustDALE has recovered more than $1.5 million in goods and services for consumers while connecting great businesses with great customers every day.

#consumerprotection #consumeradvice #consumerinvestigator #dalecardwell #trustdaletv #trustdale #consumeradvocate

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 storm damage can quickly become targets for unethical contractors who oversell fear and inflate repairs.

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.

TrustDALE.com connects consumers and companies with service providers who have passed Dale's seven point investigative process to ensure top quality work at a fair price. TrustDALE backs every job with a Make It Right Guarantee.

Since its launch, TrustDALE has recovered more than $1.5 million in goods and services for consumers while connecting great businesses with great customers every day.

#consumerprotection #consumeradvice #consumerinvestigator #dalecardwell #trustdaletv #trustdale #consumeradvocate