SAN DIEGO -- A viewer sent the Troubleshooter an advertisement for a work-at-home opportunity that sounded too good to be true.

"Make $600 a week selling a service that is otherwise free."

That is not exactly how the advertisement in the PennySaver reads, but it may as well. The viewer said the ad did not seem right, so Troubleshooter decided to investigate.

The ad assures that there is "no experience necessary" for "processing HUD/FHA MIP refunds from home." The ad offers a toll-free telephone number.

What are MIP refunds? These refunds are insurance rebates for homeowners who pay off their HUD/FHA loans. Realtor Don Pelletier explained that once the HUD/FHA loan is paid off, the government sends the homeowner a form to fill out and return. Pelletier said the rebate check is sent to the homeowner in four to six months, and could be several hundred or several thousand dollars, depending on the unused value of their HUD/FHA mortgage insurance.

The application process is absolutely free. Frank Riley of HUD agreed and said consumers can learn more on HUD's Web site at www.hud.gov and click on "FHA Refunds" or they can call the HUD toll-free telephone number at (800) 697-6967.

Riley said you may be eligible for a refund if you acquired your loan after Sept. 1, 1983, paid an upfront mortgage insurance premium at closing and did not default on your mortgage payments.

Last October, HUD stepped up efforts to locate homeowners who have not claimed their refunds at least two years after loan payoff. Frank Riley said there are about 348,000 of these homeowners who are owed close to $250 million in refunds. This is what now fuels the work-at-home opportunity that is raising our viewer's eyebrows.

Shane Silonis is one of many promoters of this new money-making enterprise. He owns a company called National Consumer Information Services based in Sandy, Utah. He said there is plenty of money to go around, and stands behind his claim that independent "third party tracers" can make $600 a week, as advertised.

He said for $89 upfront he sells a manual with step-by-step instructions for getting a list of unclaimed refunds from HUD, form letters to send to consumers and refund forms.

Independent agents are advised to charge a 25 percent commission on refunds they get for former HUD customers. Silonis said he offers a 90-day money back guarantee to independent agents who do not make $600 a week.

He said he learned about this business from late night infomercials, and also offers work-at-home opportunities selling pre-paid legal services, credit repair, and eBay marketing tips. He said all of his enterprises are legal.

You can visit Silonis Web site at www.ncisonline.com.

Pelletier said the offer may be legal but he questions the ethics of charging for services that are otherwise free. Both Riley and Pelletier urge anyone who has had a HUD/FHA mortgage to contact HUD to see if they are owed money and bypass the middle man.