TrustDALE Blog

Insights on Companies and Trust

Loan Trap: How One Click Cost a Family Years of Debt
Finance & Tips Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Loan Trap: How One Click Cost a Family Years of Debt

High-interest online loans are a huge risk. One lender, NetCredit, charges interest rates as high as 155%! One of our followers turned to Dale for help after she said NetCredit gave her the run-around.

Can You Cash a Check Made Out to Someone Who’s Passed Away?
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Can You Cash a Check Made Out to Someone Who’s Passed Away?

A TrustDALE follower received a check that was intended for someone who died. Can she cash the check anyway? Dale has the answer.

$2,100 Phone Bill?! How to Avoid Costly International Roaming Fees
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

$2,100 Phone Bill?! How to Avoid Costly International Roaming Fees

It's not cheap to use your smartphone outside the United States. Learn why one consumer had to pay thousands for roaming charges, and how you can avoid the same mistake on your next trip abroad.

Zillow’s Zestimates: How Close Are They to the Real Value of Your Home?
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Zillow’s Zestimates: How Close Are They to the Real Value of Your Home?

As one of the go-to websites for home buyers and sellers, Zillow's "Zestimates" can play a significant role in the decision making process. But are they accurate? In this article, we uncover the truth behind the popular home value estimates.

When the Repair Line Goes Dead: What’s Really Behind Sears’ Service Meltdown?
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

When the Repair Line Goes Dead: What’s Really Behind Sears’ Service Meltdown?

A Georgia consumer’s broken refrigerator exposes bigger cracks in Sears’ customer service. Here's what shoppers need to know before buying from legacy brands with fading support.

Puppy Love or Legal Trap? Inside the Pet Leasing Industry
Finance & Tips Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Puppy Love or Legal Trap? Inside the Pet Leasing Industry

A Georgia pet store offered lease-to-own puppies, leaving buyers like Brian Drysdale shocked by hidden costs. Discover how confusing contracts turned a $2,500 Shih Tzu into a $6,000 mistake, and how to avoid falling into the same trap.

Cruel Deception: Scammers Are Targeting the Grieving
Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Cruel Deception: Scammers Are Targeting the Grieving

Scammers are posing as funeral homes to exploit grieving families, demanding fake payments and threatening to cancel services. Learn how to spot and stop this cruel scam before it strikes.

Vanishing Voices: Why It’s So Hard to Reach a Real Person at Big Companies
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Vanishing Voices: Why It’s So Hard to Reach a Real Person at Big Companies

Frustrated by endless customer service loops? Discover why real corporate contacts are disappearing—and how you can fight back using social media and trusted resources like TrustDALE to get real results.

Credit Shock: Why Your Score Can Plummet Without Warning
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Credit Shock: Why Your Score Can Plummet Without Warning

Discover why your credit score can drop suddenly—even without missed payments. Learn hidden factors that affect your score, how to spot errors or fraud, and steps to protect your financial health.

AI Impostors and Robocall Scams: That “Sheriff” on the Line Isn’t Who You Think
Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

AI Impostors and Robocall Scams: That “Sheriff” on the Line Isn’t Who You Think

The Federal Communications Commission promptly banned robocalls using AI-generated voices. However, scammers aren't known for obeying the law. Read on to learn what the scam is, how it works, and tips to protect you from becoming a victim.

The $199 Deception: How a Fake Check and a Phony Letter Are Scamming Homeowners
Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The $199 Deception: How a Fake Check and a Phony Letter Are Scamming Homeowners

Even an experienced consumer investigator like Dale Cardwell gets sketchy offers in the mail. Read on to find out what he did after receiving a letter claiming that his home warranty is about to expire, along with what appeared to be a check.

“He Died in an Accident”: The Facebook Scam That’s Fooled Thousands
Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

“He Died in an Accident”: The Facebook Scam That’s Fooled Thousands

This Facebook scam involves dead people. Specifically, tempting links from friends who claim someone you know has died. Dale's advice will help you avoid this annoying scam.

Sofa Showdown: How a Dream Couch Turned Into a Fabric Nightmare
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Sofa Showdown: How a Dream Couch Turned Into a Fabric Nightmare

Anne's brand-new sofa went from white to not-quite-right when she saw unexplained stains. Turns out a defect was behind the problem. The manufacturer and the retailer refused to do anything, so Anne turned to TrustDALE for help.

When Honor Fails, Heroes Rise
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

When Honor Fails, Heroes Rise

A veteran’s dream to honor service with handmade flags turns into a cautionary tale of broken promises—until another veteran-owned business steps in to make things right. A powerful story of patriotism, accountability, and restored faith.

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

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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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