Red Rock Financial Services Predatory Homeowner Association Collection Fees Las Vegas Nevada

I've been a homeowner at my current residence for approximately 8 years.  I recieved a collection notice via certified mail on 4/16/13 from Red Rock Financials services stating that I owed them $527.14.  My original HOA annual fee is $235 to Silverado Court Association.  I am not sure how I missed it this year, but I was completely unaware that I had not paid my HOA anuual bill.  I've paid the annual bill every year prior.  I was shocked to say the least that Silverado Court Association would send me to collections without a phone call, unpaid bill notice, nothing.  No communication whatsoever and I've lived in the property with same phone number for the entire time.  Anyway, I paid the amount owed to directly to my HOA.   A couple of months later, I received another letter from Red Rock Financial Services stating that they have applied amount I paid to my balance and that I still owed them $292.14 for an original principal balance of $235.

As far as I know they sent me a certified letter.  Not sure how much that cost them, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't $292.14.  So, I contacted Red Rock Financial Services directly.  I was somewhat surprised to see their number listed as 932-6887, as my Association, Silverado Court Association's # is 932-6864.  I am sure that must be coincidental right?  Anyway, they informed me that the amount still owed is non-negotiable.  I asked them if an additional $292.14 on top of an unpaid balance of $235 seemed reasonable to them.  I denied owing them any money and told them that their practices are predatory in nature.  I asked who gave them right to do this kind of thing without any kind of phone call or unpaid bill notice, and I was informed that somewhere in my HOA contract it gives them the auhority to do this.  I guess I should read that contract a little more carefully.

I then called my HOA directly.  They confirmed that they sent me to collections and that they do no have any information in regards to the balance owed, etc.  I was told that I had to contact Rock Financial services directly.  I asked, since Silverado Court Assocation's message while waiting online stated to give them a chance to prove their exception service, if they were aware that the company they are dealing with was acting in a predatory nature, and that they wanted to charge me an additional $292.14 for a $235 bill?  They denied knowing anything about it, which I find really hard to believe.  I then asked if exceptional service means that they are in the habit of sending their customers a late bill notice, or making a phone call which they verified to be correct when I initially called.  I was told that they normally send out a notice, but they could not verify if they had in my case.  I was given the email to the community leader if I had additional questions.  I will be sending this message directly to the community leader and will see what his/her response is.

Am I forced to pay these predatory fees?  Someone needs to be made aware of these ridiculous practices.  Not sure what kind relationship these two companies have, but something seems fishy to me.  A simple phone call directly to me would have resolved this issue.  Why was there a need to take this route unless someone stands to benefit from this scheme financially?  I will be sending copies of this to my congressional and state representatives, as well as the news outlets.  Not sure what good will come, but people need to be made known about this underhanded kind of business practices.