Dale Cardwell

Topics:
Customer Experience
Marketing
Communication
Founder & CEO, TrustDale | Consumer Investigator | 6-Time Emmy Award Winner | Leading Consumer Advocate Helping Americans Find Companies They Can Trust
BIO

If you ask Gemini or ChatGPT who the best-known consumer investigator in Atlanta is, you may be surprised by the answer. Dale Cardwell has been silently—and not so silently—doing the work. For more than three decades, he has built a national reputation as one of America’s most trusted consumer investigators, exposing scams, confronting fraudsters, and protecting everyday people from deception.

After 15 years with WSB, the six-time Emmy winner started his own consumer research and referral business, TrustDale.com. Since 2009, TrustDale has generated $2.6 billion in commerce for its certified businesses and helped more than two and a half million North Georgians connect with companies they can trust. But Dale never stopped investigating.

Through his nationally syndicated TV show TrustDALE Investigates and YouTube channel, TrustDaleTV, Dale and his team have recovered more than $1.5 million in cash, goods, and services for consumers who thought their money was gone for good. Dale’s new book, Don’t Get Scammed, Get Smart!: Seven Steps to Outsmart Today’s Most Dangerous Post-COVID Scams, immediately hit Amazon’s bestseller list in the Consumer Guides category.

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Signature Topics

Granny Isn’t the Only One Getting Scammed: Why fraud is now an equal-opportunity crime across generations

The Psychology of the Con: Why even smart, educated people fall for scams

Scam-Proof Your Life: Seven steps to outsmart today’s top fraudsters

AI & Deepfakes: How new technology has supercharged old scams

Disaster Donations: What every good-hearted giver should know before sending money

The Post-COVID Fraud Boom: How uncertainty became the scammer’s playground

From Teens to Retirees: How to talk to your family about scams before they happen

How to Vet a Business in Five Minutes or Less: Dale’s quick credibility checklist

Inside the Scammer’s Playbook: Emotional triggers that fuel every fraud

Fraud as a Family Issue: Teaching kids, parents, and grandparents to spot the signs

TESTIMONIALS

Dale Cardwell spoke during our Club Meeting on March 22, 2023. The stories and videos he shared of crooks and scammers ripping people off was heartbreaking. Dale provided a wealth of information, including his DEAL principles, to avoid being conned by scammers. This information is invaluable and needs to be shared widely in civic groups, community groups, church groups and others to help people recognize the schemes and traps these con artists employ. Thank you, Dale!

- Jennifer Nelson, President of the Rotary Club of Marietta

What an awesome program! After the meeting, our members were absolutely buzzing about what a great presentation it was. Dale was so kind to share his wealth of knowledge and experience with our Club. With all the fraudsters out there, Dale’s message was so important and will be really helpful in keeping our members and their hard earned money safe. In addition to his engaging personality, Dale’s caring nature shined.

- Jody Campbell, Rotary Club of Sugarloaf

Speaker Highlights
BOOKS

What Are the Top Ten Most DANGEROUS post-COVID Scams That You Need to Outsmart?

Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell has one mission: to promote ethical business practices, empower consumers, and expose scammers. After twenty-five years uncovering corruption as a TV journalist, Dale realized he could do more than report on victims—he could help them seek justice. That mission led to the creation of TrustDALE, a community where consumers can find trustworthy businesses offering fair prices, and companies can sell those products and services at a fair profit.

Since its launch, TrustDALE has recovered more than $1.5 million in goods and services for consumers, helping people make informed choices and avoid fraud.

But the 2020 pandemic unleashed what may be the largest wave of fraud in history—LexisNexis estimates COVID aid scams could exceed $1 trillion. In today’s digital-first, post-COVID world, scams are more sophisticated and widespread than ever.

In his newly updated book, “Don’t Get Scammed, Get Smart: Seven Steps to Outsmart Today’s Most Dangerous Post-COVID Scams”, Dale shares his proven seven-step strategy to outsmarting modern con artists. This comprehensive, consumer-friendly handbook teaches readers how to spot scams before they strike, protect their money, and make confident, informed decisions.

Written with prevention in mind, Dale explains, “The goal is for fewer people to end up on the wrong side of the story.” Instead of enduring the financial and emotional toll of being defrauded, readers will learn both offensive and defensive tactics for safeguarding themselves in a rapidly evolving scam landscape.

Complete with real-world case studies and Dale’s wealth of investigative experience, Don’t Get Scammed, Get Smart will help readers learn:

  • The elements of a scam
  • How to respond to scammers and the key questions to ask
  • How to define the deal you want
  • How to ensure and authenticate the deal

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