First it is sad you have to go through this. Small claims court is your best avenue but as the previous person stated you have to file it in the county they reside in. If you do this have your ducks in a row. You appear to have an email that stated you would be paid. That is good for you. Not so for them. Having been through small claims court in my business, when you file make sure you include any fees, lost wages, travel costs, etc in the claim so you can be reimbursed should it take you a day off work just to file the claim. It will go to SCC and you will get a say. Understand the process for that county by talking to them. Ours is such you show up on a day and they hear your case. Mine did not show up and I was awarded my case but they paid on the absolute last day they could. You have to decide if $450 is worth your time and effort. Again, so sorry you have been led on but there really are great people in this industry. Just the bad apples are pretty hard to forget.