Randy F: I was wondering what is the best way to report a company for fraud? They took over $42,000 from my wife and I to do work on my house then skipped out before the work was done. We paid cash in full, and even took out loan on the house.

JW: Randy, if you’ve been scammed by a contractor, obviously you need to notify your local police and file a report.  Your next step is to report the scammers directly to the Federal Trade Commission, either online at ftc.gov, or by phone at 1-877 - FTC HELP. We got a few tips from the FTC on how to protect yourself from these con men, so they don’t get a chance to get your hard-earned money Read More of How Can I Avoid Contractor Fraud? »

Bree S: I’m 19 years old. My question is: what can I do to stop thinking about when I was raped? This is something that affects my everyday life.

JW: First of all, Bree, let me say how sorry I am about what you’ve had to endure. It should go without saying that no one should ever have to live with the pain and trauma of being sexually assaulted. Many victims of sexual assault fear they are to blame for what happened, and I really hope you don’t feel that way, because it wasn’t your fault! Fortunately, there are some good support groups out there that can help you deal with the issues that remain with you long after the crime occurs. Contact the National Sexual Abuse Hotline anytime at 1.800.656.HOPE. It’s free and confidential and they will put you directly in touch with help in your area. You can also use RAINN’s online hotline at rainn.org. You are not alone, and being able to connect with someone who understands what you’ve been through might be a big help.

Linda Y: Are debit credit cards safer than regular credit cards? Should you be as safe with them giving out the numbers to stores and ordering over the Internet?

JW: Debit cards are certainly becoming more popular, and you have good reason to be concerned. After checking around, I discovered that while federal laws say you’re not liable for more than $50 if your credit card is used for unauthorized charges, the money for debit card purchases is transferred almost immediately from your bank account, no matter what the amount.

So, I want to pass along to you these tips from the Federal Trade Commission, aimed at protecting you when you shop online:

• Always buy from secure, trustworthy websites. One way to know that you’re dealing with a secure site is to check its URL in your web browser’s address bar (at the very top of the browser window); if it starts with “https” or “shttp” that means it’s a secure site.
• Check a site’s privacy policy to understand how your personal information might be used. A legitimate website will have a link to its privacy policy on its homepage.
• Keep a record of your online purchases.
• Always review your monthly credit card and bank statements closely for any errors or unauthorized activity. If you do suspect that someone is using your account without your permission, or if your cards have been stolen, notify the card issuer immediately.
• Even though these protections are in place on your accounts, the longer you wait the more complicated it could get to resolve your problem—and the more at risk your money becomes.