When Public Safety Thursday on The Valley Today kicks off with a moment of accidental dead air, Captain Warren Gosnell of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office doesn't miss a beat. Instead, he turns Janet Michael's radio-studio nightmare into a teaching moment—because in today's tech-driven world, even the smallest glitch can open the door to trouble.

Technology: A Gift and a Growing Threat

As the holidays approach, scammers ramp up activity, exploiting both technology and human vulnerability. Captain Gosnell notes that modern fraud schemes are made easier—and more convincing—because technology has advanced faster than many people can track.

Artificial intelligence, digital phone number spoofing, data breaches, and realistic voice cloning have changed the landscape of crime. He warns that criminals now need only minimal information—a name, a phone number, maybe a partial address—to sound legitimate and gain trust.

Even worse, scammers increasingly target older adults, who may not recognize how sophisticated fraud technology has become.

Red Flags: What Law Enforcement Will Never Do

With a mix of humor and seriousness, Gosnell emphasizes that no police officer will ever:

• Call you to request a donation while on duty
• Use their rank or title to pressure you into giving money
• Ask for payment to "avoid being arrested"
• Request gift cards as bail or for fines

"Today's special is half price: $250 keeps you out of the hoosegow," he jokes — pointing out just how ridiculous legitimate law enforcement would sound if these fake offers were true.

How Scammers Capture Your Identity — One Quiz at a Time

Captain Gosnell shines a spotlight on one of the most sneaky scam tactics: social media quizzes. Those seemingly innocent prompts—

"Who was your 3rd-grade teacher?" "What street did you grow up on?" "What was your first car?"

—are actually harvesting answers frequently used as bank and account security questions.

Janet adds another big concern: parents posting first-day-of-school photos that include their children's full names, ages, teacher names, birth details, or school locations — a treasure trove for identity thieves.

When Familiar Voices Aren't Real

One of the most chilling warnings of the episode centers on AI-generated voice scams. Because Gosnell's voice is publicly available in videos and broadcasts, he worries scammers could easily mimic him:

"It could be me, asking you to send money to avoid a warrant," he says — and people might believe it, simply because the voice sounds familiar.

He encourages critical thinking: Why would the Sheriff's Office call you about a warrant instead of coming to your door? Why would payment be demanded over the phone?

If it feels wrong — it is.

How to Shut Down a Scam

If someone calls claiming to be your bank, a government agency, or a utility:

1. Hang up.
2. Go to the organization's official website — NOT a link they sent you.
3. Use verified contact information to confirm whether the call was real.

"And whatever you do," Gosnell insists, "never click the link."

Reporting scam attempts to local authorities is still helpful — even if the culprit is likely states or oceans away. Law enforcement can alert the public to new schemes and share prevention tips.

Gift Cards Are NOT Currency

One of the easiest rules of holiday safety:

If someone demands gift cards as payment — it's a scam. Period.

Scammers don't even need the physical card. Once you read the numbers aloud, they drain the funds within seconds. No recovery. No traceability. No refund.

The Double-Edged Sword of Modern Tech

Despite the concerns, Gosnell isn't anti-technology — far from it. He reminisces about growing up with Pong, learning to code on a Commodore 64, and now enjoying VR headsets.

Technology has transformed law enforcement, too: 🚓 3D crash-scene mapping 🚁 Drone-assisted investigations 🎯 Highly accurate laser speed detection

But as tech evolves, he says, so must the public's awareness. "Sometimes the things you love can make you miserable."

Celebrating Safely

Before signing off, Janet and Captain Gosnell shift to seasonal reminders:

• Holiday parties mean more impaired drivers on the road
• Decriminalized or legal substances can still impair your ability to drive
• Plan a sober ride or a designated driver — every single time

Gosnell wants to make sure everyone listening is still around next year to enjoy the festivities.

A Final Word: Trust Carefully

The overarching message of the episode is simple:

In an age where technology can mimic voices, clone phone numbers, and impersonate businesses — the safest person to trust is yourself.

If something feels off, stop. If someone pressures you, hang up. If a deal sounds too good to be true — it absolutely is.