Homeowner says Chase Finance foreclosed on mortgage that already had been paid off

A St. Clair County woman says her house was foreclosed upon despite allegedly paying off the entire mortgage.

Carolyn Rickman filed a lawsuit March 19 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Chase Home Finance LLC.

Rickman obtained a home loan in April 2007 totaling $51,000 from Chase Bank USA for a house in East St. Louis, according to the complaint. In August 2010, she says she received funds for an insurance settlement after the Cleaveland Avenue home was destroyed by fire. Rickman contends she used the money to pay off the entire balance on her mortgage with Chase Bank.

Rickman alleges her mortgage account was never credited with that payment. She says Chase Home Finance began foreclosure proceedings on the property in December 2010.

Rickman accuses Chase Home Finance of negligence, fraud, breach of contract and wrongful foreclosure. She is asking to be paid more than $50,000 in damages plus court costs. She is also asking to be declared the sole owner of the East St. Louis property and to have her credit history corrected.

Attorney Deborah A. Hawkins of Edwardsville is representing Rickman. They ask for a jury trial.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-143