Bank error leads to sale of couple's home

PHOENIX, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Chase officials have apologized for accidentally selling a Phoenix couple's home even though their modified mortgage payments were up to date.

Jeff and Yanthy Zerner said the new owner of the house posted a notice on the door Nov. 4 that led them to discover their property had been foreclosed, KPHO-TV, Phoenix, reported Wednesday.

"I get this notice that says you have five days to vacate the property," Jeff Zerner said. "So I called the number (on the notice) and I say, 'Who are you?' and they say, 'We're the legal owners of this house. It went up for foreclosure."

Zerner said he and his wife had finished their trial mortgage modification with Chase only days before and were told they would qualify for a permanent modification.

"We paid Chase several hundred dollars, which they accepted in good faith," Zerner said. "I feel extremely ripped off."

Chase admitted the house was sold in error and apologized to the couple.

"We apologize for the confusion over the modification actions and the parallel foreclosure steps Chase takes as a precaution. We have reached out to Ms. Zerner to discuss where we go from here," Chase officials said in a statement.