Fighting Fraud
By Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland
Ohioans are readying for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this spring. On April 8th, the Greater Cleveland area will be in the path of totality—meaning total darkness—for the solar eclipse. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this will be the last eclipse visible in the contiguous United States for the next 20 years.
Stores are already stocking eclipse-related merchandise, and online vacation rental owners have reported that they have experienced an uptick in inquiries for their units. With the anticipation for the event growing each day, Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) Serving Greater Cleveland is providing the following advice so consumers can protect themselves from getting burned by an eclipse-related scam:
Fake Merchandise
Consumers should be on the lookout for fake or poor-quality merchandise advertised online ahead of the eclipse. Research companies before you purchase at BBB.org. Check to make sure websites list a physical address, read other customers’ experiences, and pay with a credit card for added protection. Use a web service such as WhoIs.net or Lookup.ICANN.org to see where a website is registered. Sites registered recently or located overseas may be red flags that the webpage is fraudulent.
Eclipse Glasses
Watchers who want to view the eclipse as it’s happening will need to purchase special sunglasses since normal sunglasses will not provide adequate protection. NASA and their partner, the American Astronomical Society (AAS), recommend that consumers use a pinhole projector or specialty-made eclipse glasses that comply with the international ISO 12312-2 quality standard. Appropriate welding glasses with a filter shade of 12 or higher may also work, but those are an uncommon variety and will tint the eclipse green. Furthermore, the AAS has cited they’ve “heard reports of people ordering “Shade 14” welding goggles from random online stores and receiving much lighter filters than they were promised.” Consumers should do their due diligence to protect their vision.
Vacation Rentals
Both short-term vacation rental owners and consumers should be careful of scams and unscrupulous practices. The Cleveland area is not the only major city in the path of totality. Dallas, Little Rock, Indianapolis and Buffalo will also experience total darkness. Owners of potential renter properties should understand what their homeowner’s insurance will cover if their property is rented. Renters should be on the lookout for fake rental websites and red flags such as an owner listing a property on a short-term rental website, only to ask that a renter wire them money outside of the platform.
Fake Eclipse Watch Party Events
Pop-up events have concerns of their own. Scammers may create fake event pages and charge admission for a free event. Confirm with the organizer of the event if there is an admission fee. If there is a charge, be sure to use a credit card.
Better Business Bureau recommends individuals report scams, regardless of whether or not they have lost money, to BBB.org/ScamTracker. These reports can help others avoid falling victim to fraud.
Have additional questions? Reach out to your BBB at 216.241.7678 or [email protected]. Have a scam to report? Report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
