How to file your complaints and claims
Owners in our group have taken several actions to report what happened and to pursue recovery. Each is free or low-cost, and each is more effective when many owners file consistently. Below are step-by-step guides. This is general information, not legal advice — your situation is your own, and you may wish to consult an attorney.
Where to start
If you only have time for one thing today, file with the Attorney General. If you have time for two, call the Seattle Police.
- WA Attorney General About fifteen minutes, free, no documents needed. Start here.
- Seattle Police Department Ties your incident number into the investigation Seattle Police have opened. Each owner files their own.
- King County District Court Your individual money claim and judgment. Optional, ~$83; individuals can file without a lawyer (LLCs generally need one).
- WA Department of Licensing Regulates real estate firms. Investigation complete and referred for possible action; filing still adds to the record.
- FBI IC3 Adds a federal record. Quick.
Regulators and law enforcement can investigate and, in some cases, order restitution, but no single filing guarantees your money back. Filing consistently, and filing everywhere that applies, is how owners maximize the chances of recovery and accountability.