You've probably seen their ads for the Woodinville Public Auto Auction. But now, because of apparent money problems, the company has local customers crying foul.

Some are out money for cars they sold to Woodinville Public Auto Auction; others have cars they paid for but don't legally own.

They say it happened without warning.

Kenny Atkins is fit to be tied. "To me, they knew what they were doing when they sold these vehicles," he says from his home in Bothell.

Atkins just bought four vehicles from Woodinville Public Auto: a big Ford truck, a white Ford Tempo, A Mitsubishi Sigma and a Dodge Dakota pickup for his daughter.

He has the papers to show he paid in full.

"About $3,200," he said.

But in a few days, these cars will be illegal to drive. He can't even sell them. They were never transferred to his name.

"I've got 4 vehicles. I got no ownership. I got no tags. No titles."

Woodinville Public Auto Auction has closed shop. KOMO 4 News found the fences padlocked.

According to the State Department of Licensing, the owner surrendered his dealers' license on May 17, nine days after Ken Atkins paid his money.

Some people who sold cars to Woodinville Public Auto Auction say they never got paid.

The Department of Licensing says sellers still owed money, or buyers still waiting for legal documents, should contact the state immediately at (206) 706-4255.

"A worker has been assigned to help process titles and file claims against the company's bond," says Brad Benfield of the DOL Public Information Office.

KOMO 4 NEWS tried to contact the owner by phone, but there was no answer.

"No answers, nobody answers up there. Nobody's ever there anymore," Kenny Atkins said.

The state's not sure how many customers are involved, but licensing officials say if you're in Kenny's situation, don't panic.

The state is working to make sure no one loses their car, or gets stuck with a vehicle they cannot drive.

The other encouraging news is that according to the state, this situation is not nearly as bad as other car dealers who've suddenly gone under.

Unfortunately there is no way you can tell in advance if your car dealer's in trouble.