Scam calls, such as the one portrayed in the movie “Thelma”, are becoming an increased threat with AI and voice changing!
In the movie “Thelma”, a real and growing threat is highlighted: scam calls targeting grandparents or family members in emergencies. These scam calls are becoming more common and sophisticated, especially with advances in AI (artificial intelligence) allowing voice changing.
Thelma, played by June Squibb, gets a frantic call from someone pretending to be her grandson. He claims he’s in jail with a broken nose and needs $10,000 urgently. Believing the caller is really her grandson, she follows the scammer’s instructions, then gathers cash hidden around her home and sends it to a P.O. Box address, hoping to help her grandson. The real-life inspiration for the movie’s Thelma is the 103-year-old grandmother of writer and director Josh Margolin.
Last year, imposter fraud resulted in nearly $2.7 billion in losses, according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). To protect against such scams, financial experts suggest steps like freezing your credit or arranging power of attorney for vulnerable family members.
Experts say scams like the one Thelma faced are increasingly common. In 2023, imposter fraud was the most reported type of fraud to the FTC, with a rise in scams involving business and government impersonators.
Social media provides a wealth of material for these scams. With AI, scammers can manipulate short audio clips from platforms like TikTok to create convincing fake messages. AI voice scams typically involve distressing calls from someone claiming to need urgent help, often mimicking the voice of a loved one, making these scams particularly effective.
“Everybody should know that deep fakes are becoming more and more popular and common and easier to do, and there are whole industries built around scamming people”, said Carolyn McClanahan, a certified financial planner and founder of Life Planning Partners in Jacksonville, Florida.
A 2023 survey by McAfee found that 25% of adults have encountered an AI voice scam, and 77% of those targeted lost money. The survey included 7,054 adults from seven countries, including the U.S.
Thelma’s age made her more vulnerable to the scam. However, younger people are also at risk. Andrew Sivertsen, a senior planner, notes that Gen Z and young millennials, who spend more time online, are falling victim to a higher number of scams.
“They target the elderly, because as we get older, we lose cognitive flexibility, meaning that we can’t make decisions as quickly, and so it takes us longer to think through things. And so these scamsters use techniques like fear and urgency to try to get you to act immediately”, said McClanahan.
How to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones
Talking to older loved ones about the risk of scams can be challenging. The movie shows Thelma struggling with her independence after the scam. Margolin advises that when discussing scams with loved ones, you should try to approach the conversation thoughtfully to avoid adding to any shame or embarrassment they might feel.
McClanahan recommends creating an aging plan in your late 50s or early 60s, involving family members in the conversation, to help designate a financial surrogate for later in life. “If you wait until somebody is experiencing symptoms or having cognitive issues, then what happens is they become defensive, they become in denial”, she added.
Basic security practices can also help protect against scams. Sivertsen suggests freezing your credit and using multifactor authentication for social media and bank accounts. Additionally, identity theft insurance can help recover compromised information.
If you or a loved one falls victim to a scam, visit usa.gov/where-report-scams to find out where to report it.