TrustDALE Blog

Insights on Companies and Trust

Misleading Return Policies: How to Fight Back Like a Pro
Finance & Tips Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Misleading Return Policies: How to Fight Back Like a Pro

Misled by a fake return policy after shopping online? Learn how to fight back using chargebacks, consumer rights tips, and smart shopping strategies that protect your wallet.

Lower Rates, Bigger Risks: Rethinking That 15-Year Mortgage
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Lower Rates, Bigger Risks: Rethinking That 15-Year Mortgage

Considering a 15-year mortgage? Learn how to take advantage of lower rates while protecting your financial flexibility, and discover why a 30-year loan with smart payments might be your best bet.

Pop-Up Panic: How Fake Tech Support Scams Trap Georgia Consumers
Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Pop-Up Panic: How Fake Tech Support Scams Trap Georgia Consumers

A Georgia resident shares how a fake tech support pop-up led to a $200 scam and recurring charges. Learn how to spot and avoid these common tech support scams.

How to Tell If a Medical Supply Website Is Legit
Healthcare Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

How to Tell If a Medical Supply Website Is Legit

Worried about buying rehab or medical equipment online? Learn how to verify if a medical supply website is legit with a real-life case study and expert-level shopping tips.

Cool-Off Confusion: Your Rights After a Purchase Outside the Store
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Cool-Off Confusion: Your Rights After a Purchase Outside the Store

Thinking of canceling a purchase made at a fair or pop-up market? Here's what the FTC's Cooling Off Rule actually covers, and what to do if you're stuck with something you don’t want.

Auto Broker Scam: What One Consumer’s Loss Can Teach Us All
Automotive Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Auto Broker Scam: What One Consumer’s Loss Can Teach Us All

A consumer lost $41,000 in a wire transfer scam while trying to buy a car. Here’s how it happened, why it’s common, and what you can do to protect yourself from similar fraud.

The Double Trouble of Facebook Marketplace Scams
Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The Double Trouble of Facebook Marketplace Scams

A Georgia consumer placed two Facebook orders, both marked “delivered” but never arrived. Here's what this case reveals about social media shopping scams and how to protect your money.

Bought Tech Abroad? What to Know When It Breaks Back Home
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Bought Tech Abroad? What to Know When It Breaks Back Home

What happens when your laptop breaks and the warranty doesn't apply because you bought it abroad? Here's what consumers need to know, including credit card protections that could save the day.

Stranded by SmileDirectClub? Here Are the Options You Still Have
Finance & Tips Healthcare
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Stranded by SmileDirectClub? Here Are the Options You Still Have

SmileDirectClub shut down in 2023, but many customers are still seeking refunds or treatment. Here's what you can still do, even now, to protect your health and finances.

The Roof Payment Trap: What Your Contract May Be Hiding
Scam Prevention Home Services
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The Roof Payment Trap: What Your Contract May Be Hiding

A homeowner paid their roofer the insurance estimate, only to be asked for more later. Here’s how contract language can catch consumers off guard and what to do before you sign.

Battery Keeps Failing? Here’s What Might Be Draining It
Automotive
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Battery Keeps Failing? Here’s What Might Be Draining It

If your car battery keeps dying, don’t rush to replace it. Understand your warranty rights and explore other common causes like alternator failure or parasitic drains.

Renters in Georgia: Are You Being Overcharged for Utilities?
Finance & Tips Safety & Security
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Renters in Georgia: Are You Being Overcharged for Utilities?

Georgia renters facing inflated water bills due to broken meters may feel stuck. Learn what rights you have, what steps to take, and how to protect yourself under current tenant laws.

When a Charity Pitch Comes Knocking: A Cautionary Tale
Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

When a Charity Pitch Comes Knocking: A Cautionary Tale

A Georgia resident paid $100 to a door-to-door magazine salesman claiming to support charity, only to discover it was a likely scam. Here's how to protect yourself from similar frauds.

The Right Way to Sell Gold Coins Without Regret
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The Right Way to Sell Gold Coins Without Regret

Thinking of selling a gold Krugerrand coin? Here's what to know before shipping it off to a buyer, including how to protect yourself from scams and where to find trustworthy dealers.

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Three for Thursday is a weekly email and Dale's Do's and Don'ts is a monthly newsletter from Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell. Each week in Three for Thursday you will see a video of one of our investigations, hear Dale answer real consumer questions and learn the steps to becoming a savvy consumer. Each month in Dale's Do's and Don'ts Dale provides information valuable to homeowners.

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