Attorney General warns of glasses scams targeting Solar Eclipse viewers

Nico Rossi
·2 min read

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — Attorney General (AG) Michelle Henry is warning PA consumers to be aware of scammers selling glasses to view the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, as the glasses may not keep your eyes safe.

NASA stated that the millions expected to watch the eclipse should use solar-viewing glasses due to the intense energy from the sun.

According to AG Henry, legitimate solar-viewing glasses have specialized filters to protect your eyes, which cannot be found in fake glasses.

This is a fun and exciting global event, and that widespread anticipation has attracted scammers looking to make a buck without consideration of potential harm. Do your research to make sure the glasses you buy will thoroughly protect your eyes and allow you to safely view the solar eclipse.”

Attorney General, Michelle Henry

Eclipse 2024

Pennsylvanians who plan on watching in Crawford, Erie, Mercer, and Warren Counties, will be in the direct path and should be able to see a 100 percent total solar eclipse. The remainder of the Commonwealth will experience a partial eclipse ranging from 88 to 99 percent coverage of the sun.

According to the American Astronomical Society, fake glasses have flooded the market as scammers have capitalized on the growing consumer demand to buy glasses to view the eclipse.

The Office of the Attorney General issued the following safety tips while viewing the solar eclipse:

  • The only safe way to look directly at the sun is through special-purpose solar filters such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers.

  • Be sure your glasses are marked with the international safety standard – certification number ISO 12312-2. This number will be on the glasses frames.

  • If viewing the eclipse through a camera or telescope, be sure your lens has a solar filter.

  • Ordinary sunglasses – even darkly shaded ones – should not be used as a replacement for eclipse viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers.

  • Read information on suppliers of safe solar viewers and filters, as well as how to safely use handheld viewers on the American Astronomical Society’s website.

Any consumer who believes they were sold a fake park of solar eclipse glasses is urged to call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or email the AG’s office at scam@attorneygeneral.gov.

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