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To prevent identity theft and fraud in the Latino community, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau are joining forces.

The partnership was announced Thursday at a news conference. Chamber President Nestor Hernandez said he's received numerous complaints of fraud from Latino businesses. With help from the Better Business Bureau, he hopes to better educate Latinos on possible scams.

"We are a resource," said Jan Quintrall, president and CEO of the organization. "We are there just to help people make good decisions on what to do with their money."

During the last year, Nestor said the chamber has heard of problems with a wire service -- with one business losing $10,000. Others have complained of strangers claiming their unemployment benefits. Still more have called about men posing as members of the Yakima County Sheriff's Office who claim to sell magazines. When they are paid, they're never seen again, Hernandez said.

Hernandez and Luz Bazan Gutierrez, secretary of the chamber, believe Latinos are being targeted because of their limited English-speaking skills. Instead of calling the police, they said, Latinos will more likely call the chamber because they want to stay under the radar. They also believe nothing will be accomplished by filing a report, Hernandez and Gutierrez said.

To avoid becoming victimized, Quintrall said, Latinos need to be leery of people who act too friendly, who want a lot of money up front or who pressure them to make quick decisions.

For more information, or to report a problem, call the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at 453-2050 or the Better Business Bureau at 800-248-2356.

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.