can't read forms input data

I am running Acrobat 9 and have run into an issue that I cannot figure out.  I am having users input data into a PDF form.  It has been working fine and when I receive their completed forms I am able to see the text they entered.  Recently, something has changed.  Now when I receive the completed forms, the inputs show up as dots in the input fields.  When I select an individual field, I can see the text; but when I deselect the field, it returns to "dots".  It is the same concept as when you type a password and see only asterisks in lieu of text.  When I print the document it prints the "dots" and not the text.  Uggh.   I have been looking for a setting that may have been changed but have not found anything.  Does anyone have any experience with this?  Thanks in advance for your help.