Free Coffee Fridays with Fraud Fighters

AARP Virginia hosts a monthly Free Coffee Fridays on the first Friday of each month in Loudoun County. The event is an opportunity to socialize and focuses on educating the community on how to handle situations pertaining to fraud. The next Loudoun County event will be 8-10 a.m. Friday, April 5 at Ridgetop Coffee and Tea, 21631 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, VA 20166.

At the February event, members of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and the fire department spoke with attendees. Detective Matthew Bucco represented the Financial and Cyber Crime unit. He provided insights into how many people are tricked into giving money to scammers. His unit is available to make personal safety presentations free of charge to the community.

Gaile Harrell, a volunteer with AARP, invited Drew Jenkins, a paramedic with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue, to discuss that unit’s activities.

AARP set up a display with brochures and other information about how to prevent fraud and identity theft that the attendees were welcome to take home and read.

Susan Jones, an AARP volunteer in Loudoun County, provided historical information about the coffee shop. Ridgetop Coffee Shop has been opened since 2016 as a community outreach project for Riverside Presbyterian Church. The coffee shop gives local residents a way to engage with the people who live in the surrounding area without the pressure of them joining the church.

In addition to the coffee shop, this location has a sanctuary for worship services, a meeting room that is free to the public, an indoor playground for young children, as well as comfortable couches and chairs to lounge in. The Loudoun County AARP volunteers hold their monthly meetings in the room provided by the church.

Free Coffee Fridays will also be held in Prince William County:

8-10 a.m. Friday, March 8, CUPPi COFFEE, 16830 Dumfries Road Unit 120, Dumfries, VA 22025

8-10 a.m. Friday, April 12, CUPPi COFFEE, 16830 Dumfries Road Unit 120, Dumfries, VA 22025

8-10 a.m. Friday, May 10, CUPPi COFFEE, 16830 Dumfries Road Unit 120, Dumfries, VA 22025