Supplier Fraud Alert

First Vanguard and its subsidiaries have been alerted to a rise in fraudulent invoices, purchase orders, credit applications and banking instructions being sent to companies. These fraudulent communications impersonate First Vanguard and request: credit applications, equipment or material orders or changes to First Vanguard’s banking details.

These fraudulent messages often include the First Vanguard logo, the name of a real First Vanguard employee, and an accurate First Vanguard office address. They may include an invoice, purchase order or application that appears to be legitimate. The email addresses used resemble @1stvg.com or one of First Vanguard’s subsidiary domains, but are slightly different. They are often sent indicating a sense of urgency or penalty if action isn’t taken quickly. You may notice misspellings or grammatical errors.

Identifying Potential Fraud

  • Check the email address and person requesting: Please ensure the email originates from “[name]@1stvg.com” or another recognized First Vanguard subsidiary domain. Fraudulent emails may use similar but incorrect domains. Note that First Vanguard executive leadership team rarely handles purchasing, invoicing or credit applications

  • Request details: Be cautious if the email requests a change in First Vanguard’s bank details. First Vanguard rarely changes its bank details, and would communicate any changes formally.

  • Verify identity: Call (707) 673-2165 or email sales@1stvg.com to confirm the communication is real. Do not use the contact information in the request to confirm validity.

  • GEP Supplier Portal: The fastest, safest and most secure way to confirm the validity of an order is to register on our supplier portal where suppliers can view and acknowledge purchase orders and submit invoices.

If you receive fraudulent communications, please contact First Vanguard at sales@1stvg.com and forward the email, phone number and any other documentation. Additionally, you can:

Never ship materials, provide a service or change First Vanguard’s banking details without first confirming the validity of the request. Stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.