Phone security company Pindrop Security’s annual “State of Phone Fraud” report found there are more than 86 million scam calls every month, and that’s just in the U.S.

To put it another way, one in every 2,200 phone calls is a scam call. That’s up 30 percent from 2013.

Fortunately, there are some rules you can follow to avoid being tricked in a phone scam. If you have older family members or friends, be sure to share this article with them.

1. Take your time Scams work the best when the victim doesn’t have time to think things through. If you panic and act without thinking, the scammer has you.

2. Ask questions The scammer might have answers prepared for some of these, but keep asking and eventually their story will unravel. Or they’ll decide you’re too much trouble and leave the conversation.

3. Verify the answers Don’t just take the word of the person on the phone.

4. Don’t pay There is no situation where you should give your payment information or Social Security number to an unsolicited caller. Some companies will take payment information over the phone, but you’re usually calling them.

Similarly, most companies that deal with a Social Security number will already have it and ask you only for the last four digits.

Another red flag is the caller asking for a wire money transfer. Wire transfers are a favorite tool of scammers because once you send the money it’s gone forever.

If you hear the words “wire transfer,” “Western Union,” “Moneygram” or the name of another wire transfer service, assume it’s a scam.

5. Don’t engage If you figure out that the person calling you is a scammer, the best thing to do is hang up.

Make sure all your phones are on the Do Not Call list .