Foreclosure filings spiked upward another 7 percent in March of this year, but one expert believes there are alternatives consumers can use to avoid becoming part of next month's statistic.

During March, the amount of foreclosure filings totaled 239,745, according to statistics released from RealtyTrac, up from February, when filings totaled 225,101. Granted, the rate of increase is slower than it was this time last year, but financial expert Deborah McNaughton, author of “The Essential Credit Repair Handbook” from Career Press (http://www.financialvictory.com), said that the decrease wasn't attributable to better market conditions.

“The slowdown is because there are so many foreclosures to file, it’s taking lenders longer to process foreclosure proceedings,” McNaughton said. “The allegations of fraud in some of these foreclosure proceedings started last September, and as a result, there was a temporary suspension of foreclosures while the fraud was investigated. There are people out there who are still in trouble, but there are ways they can avoid a foreclosure, if they're willing to do the work.”

and energy efficiency projects

Agricultural producers in non-rural areas are now eligible

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has invited agricultural producers and rural small businesses to apply for loans and grants to implement renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.

“Biofuels and other renewable energy sources present an enormous economic opportunity for rural America and the rest of the nation,” Vilsack said. “President Obama and I recognize that we need to win the future by implementing a long-term strategy to meet our country’s current and long-term energy needs. The funding I am announcing today will help make America’s farmers, ranchers and rural businesses more energy efficient.”

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings Jr. has announced that public housing agencies in North Carolina will receive $1,529,115 to link low-income families with the necessary education and job training to put them on the path to self-sufficiency. These agencies are among nearly 600 that will receive approximately $54 million in grants.

Funded through HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program (HCV/FSS), the grants allow public housing agencies (PHAs) to work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program to help individuals already participating in HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program increase their education or gain marketable skills that will enable them to obtain jobs that pay a living wage.

Attorney General urges consumers to place free security freeze, monitor credit reports

A recent report by Sony Playstation estimates that more than 780,000 North Carolina residents’ personal information may have been compromised as a result of a hacking incident, Attorney General Roy Cooper said today.

“With just a few key pieces of information, an identity thief can pretend to be you and ruin your good name and credit,” said Cooper. “If you learn that your information may be in the wrong hands, act fast to protect yourself.”