GREENSBORO, N.C. — The shutdown has prompted credit card companies to send messages to consumers offering assistance if you're impacted due to the Federal government shutdown .

"They would much prefer that you let them in and tell them, rather than just say stop paying your bills unexpectedly, because that's when you're going to see a lot of really difficult consequences," said Sara Rathner, Credit Card Expert for Nerdwallet .

Rathner says Hardship Programs are common and can be used when you have a family emergency, unexpected large medical bills, a divorce, or a job loss.

"As a consumer, as a credit card holder, what you want to do is a little bit of your homework, look through your typical spending and establish a changed budget for yourself and your household, given your circ

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