When artificial intelligence tools become capable of cloning a family member’s voice or creating hyper‑realistic video, many Americans think only sophisticated software can keep them safe. Cybersecurity veteran Morgan Wright says the real shield is old‑fashioned human caution.
AI‑powered fraud is now a national threat
Wright, who has trained federal, state and local law‑enforcement agencies—including the FBI and the National Security Agency—explains that adversarial nations such as China and Russia are using AI on a global scale, but the average American is most often targeted by criminal scammers seeking quick payouts.
“Let’s go back to around 1860, when Edgar Allan Poe wrote, ‘Believe nothing that you hear and only one half that you see,’” Wright told Fox News Digital. “That advice is as good now as it was 160 years ago.”
Voice‑cloning scams hit families
Generative AI tools can scrape just a few seconds of audio from social media and produce a convincing replica of a loved one’s voice. Wright cited the case of Deborah Del Mastro, a mother from California who lost more than $5,000 after scammers used an AI‑generated clone of her daughter’s voice to stage a kidnapping hoax.
“It’s my daughter’s voice,” Del Mastro said on The CyberGuy Report podcast. “And she’s having a panic attack.” Believing her child was in immediate danger, she transferred the money before realizing she had been duped.
Why software alone can’t keep pace
Wright stresses that every scam still relies on basic psychological triggers—urgency, fear, and the desire to help loved ones. “When you can fool a mother, that’s how good these things are getting,” he said. “The more urgent I can make it sound, the more you lower your guard and act.”
He adds that detection software is always playing catch‑up. “We hear about all the different models from xAI, Anthropic, OpenAI and Gemini. They change models constantly,” Wright noted. “When the model changes, how effective is detection software? We don’t know because this stuff is moving so fast. What you see today will be drastically different tomorrow.”
Practical steps for everyday Americans
Wright’s primary advice is simple: pause before reacting. He warns that no law‑enforcement agency will send an unsolicited text threatening arrest. “We’re not storming the beaches at Normandy; you’re not going to get arrested,” he said. “No agency sends you a text saying you’re about to be taken into custody.”
He recommends verifying any urgent request through a known, independent channel—such as calling a family member directly on a trusted number—before sending money or sharing personal information.
Community vigilance remains essential
While AI developers roll out new security features, scammers continually find ways around them. Wright urges individuals, families, and community groups to share awareness tips and to treat any unexpected request for money or personal data with healthy skepticism.
“The best defense isn’t a fancy algorithm; it’s a skeptical mind,” Wright concluded. “Teach your children, your parents, and your neighbors to question what they hear, especially when it sounds too urgent to be true.”
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
