web1_Kenyon-cmyk.jpg

Golden retriever digs up heroin in Oregon backyard

web1_Tomato.jpg

Watch a live feed of the Pittston Tomato Festival Parade

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Attorney General Josh Shapiro is alerting Pennsylvania consumers to be on the lookout for fake solar eclipse glasses that promise to keep consumers&#8217; eyes safe while watching Monday&#8217;s eclipse.</p><p>The glasses don&#8217;t have the level of protection required to keep someone&#8217;s eyes safe, according to Shapiro.</p><p>On Monday, millions of Americans and Pennsylvanians are expected to watch the solar eclipse, expected to begin in this area around 1:15 p.m. and reach its maximum display at 2:41 p.m. NASA is recommending anyone viewing the eclipse should use solar viewing glasses because of the powerful energy the sun expels. Legitimate solar eclipse glasses have special-purpose filters to protect eyes, while fake glasses do not.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;re warning Pennsylvania consumers: Don&#8217;t get blinded by fake solar eclipse glasses,&#8221; Shapiro said in a news release. &#8220;Do some checking to make sure the glasses you buy will thoroughly protect your eyes and allow you to safely view the solar eclipse.&#8221;</p><p>While Pennsylvanians will not be able to see the full eclipse, they will see the moon covering about 75 percent to 80 percent of the sun. The same risk of damage holds true for a partially eclipsed sun, so it is important that all viewers protect their eyes.</p><p>Scammers have been capitalizing on growing consumer demand to buy glasses to view the eclipse. According to the American Astronomical Society, fake glasses have flooded the market and there are disturbing reports, Shapiro said. Amazon recently notified customers it was recalling certain solar eclipse glasses it sold that didn&#8217;t meet safety standards.</p><p>Shapiro and the Office of Attorney General issued these safety tips for viewing the eclipse:</p><p>&#8226; Make sure the glasses you purchase are registered as a &#8220;Solar Viewer Brand&#8221; with the American Astronomical Society: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters</p><p>&#8226; Be sure your glasses are marked with the international safety standard &#8211; certification number ISO 12312-2. This number will be on the glasses&#8217; frame.</p><p>&#8226; If viewing the eclipse through a camera or telescope, be sure your lens has a solar filter.</p><p>&#8226; Read information on how to safely use hand-held viewers on the American Astronomical Society&#8217;s website: https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/eyewear-viewers</p><p>&#8226; Ordinary sunglasses &#8211; even darkly shaded ones &#8211; should not be used as a replacement for eclipse viewing glasses or hand-held solar viewers.</p><p>If you believe someone sold you a fake pair of solar eclipse glasses, call the AG&#8217;s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or email scam@attorneygeneral.gov.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_Eclipse-scam.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_Eclipse-scam.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Attorney General warns of scam involving solar eclipse glasses