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

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 ways most people never see coming.

The episode follows real victims whose lives were upended by fraudulent accounts, drained bank balances, and repeated cyber attacks. Dale explains why identity theft is no longer limited to massive data breaches and how everyday activities like online shopping, tapping a credit card, or using public Wi Fi can open the door to fraud.

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

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 today's digital marketplace.

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

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, scammers are weaponizing hope and trust to drain victims of their savings.

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

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, and online marketplaces to steal thousands of dollars at a time.

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 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 explain how sextortion works, why it targets both adults and children, and how predators silence victims. The episode features powerful testimony from families who have experienced the devastating consequences of online grooming and extortion, highlighting just how real and close to home this crime has become.

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