Here’s another in the ever-growing collection of questionable marketing tactics: A home loan disguised as a supposed mortgage-insurance refund. This one, from a colleague’s mailbox, looks official. “Form 769-OH” comes with a recipient ID number, cites two sections of the Consolidated Appropriations Act and says the recipient has “a marked record on file.”

This particular ad suggests that the homeowner could be due a refund of the mortgage insurance paid on an FHA loan. Yes, an FHA loan was used to buy the house. And, yes, mortgage insurance also was used. But does this company want to procure a rebate? Tiny print in light-gray ink says (66 words into a fairly dense paragraph): “This is a solicitation for a home loan.”

Anthony Carter, an enforcement attorney for the consumer services division of the state Department of Financial Institutions, said he’s investigating two cases where money back on mortgage insurance appears to be used to lure callers. He didn’t see the ad sent to my colleague, but he said the others he's seen tend to target VA or FHA loan holders and end up pitching new home loans or a refinanced mortgage, which he called deceptive.

“It’s promising something they can’t really deliver. They’re not in the business of getting money back from the government. They’re in the business of making loans,” he said.

Here's a look at the flier: