TrustDALE Blog

Insights on Companies and Trust

Return Denied, Refund Delayed: What to Do When a Company Fights Your Chargeback
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Return Denied, Refund Delayed: What to Do When a Company Fights Your Chargeback

A company ignored your return request—now they want you to cancel your chargeback and pay to ship it back. Here's why you shouldn’t give in, and how to let your credit card company fight for you.

High-End Hype, Low-End Hustle: The New Face of an Old Scam
Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

High-End Hype, Low-End Hustle: The New Face of an Old Scam

A parking lot pitch led one shopper to spend $340 on a “high-end” projector that wasn’t what it seemed. Learn how modern scammers are revamping old cons—and how to protect yourself.

$7,500 for a Car He Didn’t Keep? How a Rental Turned Into a Financial Nightmare
Finance & Tips Automotive
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

$7,500 for a Car He Didn’t Keep? How a Rental Turned Into a Financial Nightmare

A Georgia man was charged $7,500 for a rental car he had already returned. When customer service failed, he fought back—and won. Here’s how persistence (and a little backup) helped him beat a corporate billing disaster.

Paint Job Pitfalls: How to Avoid a Curb Appeal Catastrophe
Exterior & Landscaping Home Services
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Paint Job Pitfalls: How to Avoid a Curb Appeal Catastrophe

Hiring a painter? Don’t get stuck with peeling paint and no recourse. Learn how to vet pros, avoid scams, and protect your home’s exterior with these smart curb appeal tips.

The Hidden Benefits of Duct Cleaning: Why It’s Worth It
Cleaning Repair & Maintenance

Laura Lovejoy

The Hidden Benefits of Duct Cleaning: Why It’s Worth It

Discover the benefits of duct cleaning, from improved air quality and reduced allergens to increased HVAC efficiency and odor elimination. Keep your home healthier and energy-efficient. TrustDale connects you with reliable professionals for quality s

The Fee Trap: When ‘Great Deals’ Come with Hidden Costs
Finance & Tips Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The Fee Trap: When ‘Great Deals’ Come with Hidden Costs

A Georgia couple exposed hidden dealership fees on a used car—then used state law to fight back. Learn how to protect yourself from deceptive car pricing.

Looks Can Lie: The Rental Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore
Finance & Tips Safety & Security
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Looks Can Lie: The Rental Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore

Thinking of renting? Don’t ignore negative reviews. Learn how to vet property management companies and protect yourself from hidden fees, poor service, and red flags.

The Voice Isn’t Real: How AI Scammers Are Fooling Families
Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The Voice Isn’t Real: How AI Scammers Are Fooling Families

Scammers are using AI to clone the voices of loved ones, tricking people into sending money. Learn how to spot the signs and protect your family from this alarming new fraud.

She Was Sold a Dream—Then Left to Fight for Repairs
Finance & Tips Home Services
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

She Was Sold a Dream—Then Left to Fight for Repairs

A new RV should offer peace of mind—not a series of costly breakdowns. Learn how one owner faced a race against time as her warranty neared expiration, and what every RV buyer should do to avoid being left with repairs and no recourse.

The Review You Didn’t Write: How Some Companies Rewrite Customer Feedback
Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The Review You Didn’t Write: How Some Companies Rewrite Customer Feedback

Not all online reviews tell the full story. Some companies edit out complaints to protect their image. Learn how to spot real reviews — and why third-party platforms offer the most honest feedback.

The Crypto Trap: How One Hack Turned a Cell Phone Into a Thief’s Goldmine
Safety & Security Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The Crypto Trap: How One Hack Turned a Cell Phone Into a Thief’s Goldmine

SIM jacking is on the rise, and crypto users are prime targets. Learn how hackers can steal your phone number — and your money — plus simple steps to protect yourself before it happens.

Free Mulch or Massive Mess? What You Need to Know About ChipDrop
Exterior & Landscaping Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Free Mulch or Massive Mess? What You Need to Know About ChipDrop

Thinking about using ChipDrop for free mulch delivery? Here's what Atlanta homeowners need to know before signing up — including the big catch that could leave your driveway buried in wood chips.

Free Trial Trap: What to Do When an App Charges You Without Warning
Finance & Tips Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Free Trial Trap: What to Do When an App Charges You Without Warning

A $100 surprise after a free trial? Learn how to get a refund, protect yourself from future charges, and fight back when apps auto-bill without warning.

The Kindness Con: How Fake Charities Exploit Good People
Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The Kindness Con: How Fake Charities Exploit Good People

Fake charities are targeting kind-hearted people with emotional scams. Learn how to spot the signs, verify organizations, and give safely using trusted tools like Charity Navigator and BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance.

Click the link below to download the latest edition of TrustDALE Home Magazine.

  • Filename: TDMAG-April-2024-WebRes.pdf
  • Filetype: PDF
  • Filesize: 8.6MB
Download
Subscribe to TrustDALE Newsletters

Sign up for our
Newsletters

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.

Email Business

Search services