FOREST GROVE, Ore. — During the holiday season, it’s important to stay vigilant to avoid scams.

Law enforcement and finance officials say scams spike during the end of the year, with an increase in online shopping and a generous holiday spirit.

JPMorgan Chase and the Forest Grove Police Department addressed a crowd of seniors Thursday to talk scam prevention methods.

"What we're urging folks to do is to take a step back, resist the urge to act immediately and ensure that they get a second opinion, whether it's from a family member or even a trusted representative from our trusted financial institution,” JPMorgan Chase Community Manager Bryan Juarez said.

Some of the biggest takeaways were:

FBI data shows scammers defrauded Americans out of nearly a billion dollars last year.

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