Federal Shutdown Resources: Fraud Tips and Support
Table of Contents
- Disclaimer and Safe Use
- Resource Tabs
- Submit Resources
- Contact
- Important Safety Warnings
- Resource Listings Overview
- Comprehensive Resource Tables Snapshot
- Ethics and Outside Work Guidance
- Appendix: Images
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Disclaimer and Safe Use
Hi! Welcome to the shutdown resource google sheet!
It is important for users to take common sense precautions against fraud
and scams, as we cannot guarantee the legiimacy of each organization
or resource. Please visit the "Avoid frauds and scams" tab to learn
more, and never share personally identifiable, sensitive information or
financial information until you have conducted your own vetting process
and determined for yourself that it is safe to do so.
Resources are divided by type of resource (tabs): General Disclaimers; Avoid Frauds and Scams; Funding Assistance (information on grants mostly from non-profits); Employee Info/Benefits; Community Resources; Aggregated Resources/Articles; Supportive Events; Mental Health Resources; Local Discounts; Housing Assistance; Credit Assistance; Food Assistance; Legal Assistance; Utility & Mobile Phone Assistance; Employment Opportunities (Consult relevant ethics requirements!).
If you have resources you'd like to add please fill out this submission form!
If you have questions about the google sheet or resource submission process please contact: submission form (unembedded link): civilservantscoalition@gmail.com
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXuSrV_ZXzxohsmE_zLYxE_TPdmjXHfNWClIUzrb4-6PKcEA/viewform?
usp=header
While these resources have received a brief review by volunteers, please
be aware that we cannot guarantee accuracy. Information may change over
time, our reviews may miss information that is important to you. While we do our best to review each entry, we do not perform a detailed investigation as to the legitimacy of the sources or organizations listed. Therefore, please exercise caution and good sense. Do your own research on the organizations, verify information with representatives of the organizations (preferably in writing) and please let us know if you find any errors or concerning information so we can update accordingly.
Note that some information may reference prior shutdowns. While some information and resources may still be relevant, others may not be current and you should determine for yourself if dated resources are relevant and current.
It is important for users to take common sense precautions against fraud and scams, as we cannot guarantee the legiimacy of each organization or resource. Please visit the "Avoid frauds and scams" tab to learn more, and never share personally identifiable, sensitive information or financial information until you have conducted your own vetting process and determined for yourself that it is safe to do so.
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Resource Tabs
- General Disclaimers
- Avoid Frauds and Scams
- Funding Assistance (information on grants mostly from non-profits)
- Employee Info/Benefits
- Community Resources
- Aggregated Resources/Articles
- Supportive Events
- Mental Health Resources
- Local Discounts
- Housing Assistance
- Credit Assistance
- Food Assistance
- Legal Assistance
- Utility & Mobile Phone Assistance
- Employment Opportunities (Consult relevant ethics requirements!)
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Submit Resources
If you have resources you'd like to add please fill out this submission form. The form is linked in the disclaimer above and may appear as an embedded or unembedded form:
- Submission form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXuSrV_ZXzxohsmE_zLYxE_TPdmjXHfNWClIUzrb4-6PKcEA/viewform?
For questions about the submission process, you may contact the civilservantscoalition@gmail.com email address.
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Contact
Civil Servants Coalition — Shutdown Resource sheet coordinator contact: civilservantscoalition@gmail.com
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Important Safety Warnings
It is crucial for users to take common sense precautions against fraud and scams, as we cannot guarantee the legiimacy of each organization or resource. Please visit the "Avoid frauds and scams" tab to learn more, and never share personally identifiable, sensitive information or financial information until you have conducted your own vetting process and determined for yourself that it is safe to do so.
It is also important to note that some information may reference prior shutdowns. While some information and resources may still be relevant, others may not be current and you should determine for yourself if dated resources are relevant and current.
— The resources listed here have received a brief review by volunteers. We do not perform a detailed investigation into the legitimacy of each source. Exercise caution and verify information with representatives of the organizations, preferably in writing.
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Resource Listings Overview
Below is a selection of the types of resources and organizations listed in the sheet. The list includes federal and contractor resources, as well as community and nonprofit organizations that provide assistance during government shutdowns or related financial stress. The entries are organized by resource category and tab as described earlier.
Example Resources Examples (non-exhaustive)
- U.S. Secret Service – One pager on tips for avoiding charity scams. Link: https://www.secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2025-02/TLP-Clear-Alert-Tips-for-Avoiding-Charity-Scams-FINAL.pdf
- Thomson Reuters – Article on nonprofit fraud geared mainly to donors. Link: https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en-us/posts/government/fighting-fraud-nonprofits/
- Federal Trade Commission – Advice for consumers on avoiding phishing scams. Link: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-avoid-phishing-scams
- Office of the Comptroller of the Currency – Advice for consumers on avoiding phishing scams. Link: https://www.occ.gov/topics/consumers-and-communities/consumer-protection/fraud-resources/phishing-attack-prevention.html
- JPMorgan Chase – Tips to help determine if a website is legitimate. Link: https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/how-to-check-if-a-website-is-legit
- Dept of Justice – Fake unemployment benefit websites. Link: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-warns-about-fake-unemployment-benefit-websites
(Multi-column tables below capture fuller lists; see the attached spreadsheet-like sections and screenshots for complete rows.)
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Comprehensive Resource Tables Snapshot
The following sections reproduce representative portions of the long-form tables included in the sheet. They are structured as four-column Markdown tables with the headings Organization | Description of resource | Who is it for (Feds vs Feds and contractors vs community) | Link to Resource. The rows are curated from the original dataset and include both federal and community resources, as well as private-sector support programs that were listed in the sheet.
| Organization | Description of resource | Who is it for (Feds vs Feds and contractors vs community) | Link to Resource |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| U.S. Secret Service | One pager on tips for avoiding charity scams | General public | https://www.secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2025-02/TLP-Clear-Alert-Tips-for-Avoiding-Charity-Scams-FINAL.pdf |
| Thomson Reuters | Article on nonprofit fraud geared mainly to donors | General public (donors) | https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en-us/posts/government/fighting-fraud-nonprofits/ |
| Federal Trade Commission | Advice for consumers on avoiding phishing scams | General public | https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-avoid-phishing-scams |
| Office of the Comptroller of the Currency | Advice for consumers on avoiding phishing scams | General public | https://www.occ.gov/topics/consumers-and-communities/consumer-protection/fraud-resources/phishing-attack-prevention.html |
| JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Tips to help determine if a website is legitimate | Consumers | https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/how-to-check-if-a-website-is-legit |
Note: The sheet contains many more rows in this table across different resource blocks, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector banks offering consumer protection guidance, account protection, and payment relief. See the original sheet for the complete set.
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Ethics and Outside Work Guidance
IMPORTANT: Ethics requirements regarding outside work for federal workers, including federal employees on administrative leave, apply during a US government shutdown. Please consult relevant guidance (for example, the following guidance from the Department of Labor (DOL) on Outside Employment Guidance) and contact relevant government officials. Listings below are informational only.
| Type of Resource | Organization | Description of resource | Link to Resource |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Outside work guidance | U.S. Department of Labor | Guidance on outside employment during furloughs | https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/general/plans/OutsideEmploymentGuidance.pdf |
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Appendix: Images
The sheet includes several image references that illustrate the layout of the resource lists and event sections. The following images are embedded for quick reference:
- Image 1: Screenshot of the main resource table with tabs and disclaimers. Alt text: "Screenshot of the shutdown resources table with tab categories and caution notes". Caption: "Main resource table with disclaimer and tabs."
- Image 2: Screenshot of event and benefits resources section. Alt text: "Event and benefits resource table with organization, date, and link". Caption: "Events and support resources overview."
- Image 3: Screenshot of the comprehensive listings by organization and resource link. Alt text: "Detailed organization resource entries with links". Caption: "Expanded resource directory view."
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Related Topics
- fraud prevention for government programs
- federal employee benefits during shutdowns
- unemployment benefits and job search resources
- food and housing assistance during government shutdowns
- ethics and outside employment during furloughs
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Images
- image1.png — Alt: Screenshot of the main resources table with categories and warnings. Caption: Main resource list screenshot.
- image2.png — Alt: Event and meal distribution table. Caption: Event listings screenshot.
- image3.png — Alt: Expanded organization resource directory. Caption: Directory snapshot screenshot.
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