Q: We have just learned that our 11-year-old son is actually biting his girlfriend simply at the encouragement of his buddies and the new "Twilight" movies. They are imitating the vampire craze and think that there is nothing wrong with this type of behavior. My husband and I are appalled and was wondering what other parents are doing to try and control the situation, which seems to be running wild nationwide.

A: My whole family bite each other when we goof off and play fight. We are not drawing blood; we're just a physical family. There are a few kids in my school who are attempting to get the vampire biting ritual going, but they were weird anyway. — S.Y. in Grand Rapids, Mich.

FROM JODIE:

Biting another person and drawing blood for the sole purpose of showing possession, affection, ownership, power, commitment, etc., is a very odd thing. The "Twilight" movies and the "Moonlight" TV series seem to have brought it to the attention of younger fans, turning something adult and intimate like a love bite into something psychologically domineering and potentially dangerous.

It may very well become the next explosive and popular way to enhance feelings between two individuals. However, it assuredly has risks and negative effects in some circumstances. The mark and potential scarring left behind to deal with once the person grows up can be devastating.

You need to talk with your son and also alert school officials and teachers so that with all of you working together, things won't escalate once school begins, especially since Halloween is really not that far off. For additional information, see

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/07/earlyshow/main6653999.shtml with CBS Medical Correspondent, Dr. Jennifer Ashton.

CAN YOU HELP?

Recently I set up an in-house payment plan with my credit card company. Although they already had my checking account routing number and my account number, since I had always paid online, the representative asked for it again and said that the agreed monthly payment would come out that day but from there forward I could continue to make it online. Within two weeks, my account was canceled and handed over to a collection agency. When I called, they told me that the funds did not clear my account. Knowing that the money was there, I asked why and was told that the account number and information was incorrect. I asked them to review the situation again, even have someone there read me the numbers that the rep wrote down. They said they would review it and send me a letter. However, I have only received letters saying that it has been turned over to collection agency on behalf of the credit card company. Is there a way for me to talk with someone at the credit card company? If so, how do I do this? My husband and I are arguing daily, which does no good whatsoever, and our statement continues to collect finance and late fees. Isn't it the company's responsibility to follow through with our agreement?

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