Scams emerge as excitement for the solar eclipse grows

SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) — Scams are emerging as excitement for the solar eclipse grows.

When it comes to eclipse-related scams, the Better Business Bureau is issuing new warnings, including one about scammers selling knock-off glasses. 

The BBB of Upstate New York’s Katerina Schmieder explains how to tell if your glasses are legitimate.

“One thing you should look for is this message on the inside that says they’re ISO certified. Beyond that, you want to make sure they haven’t been damaged in any way,” Schmeider said. “Further, you can take them and look at something bright through it whether it’s the sun or a really bright light. You should only see a faint outline of that. If you put those glasses on and you’re seeing other things around you, they’re probably not safe to use for that.”

Knock-off glasses are not the only issue the BBB is monitoring. Fraudulent lodging and travel deals can also cause a cluster of problems. Another scam involves home rentals with fake addresses when the properties don’t actually exist.

“They’ll take images from a legitimate hotel or rental company and then try to pressure you to put a deposit down before you can verify the rental is legitimate,” Schmeider added.

If you spot an eclipse-related scam, the BBB of Upstate New York encourages you to report it to its scam tracker.

New York Attorney General Leticia James said her office is also getting complaints about last-minute hotel cancellations even when people booked months in advance. She’s encouraging anyone who experiences an eclipse-related scam to file a complaint with her office.