An ad popping up in newspapers across the country looks similar to a legitimate news article and claims you can get up to two free digital converter boxes without using the government rebate coupon.

But the "free" offer could set you back a bundle.

The Ohio company that offers the box, called the Miracle Clearview, says it gives any ordinary TV a superior quality picture, better sound, and free digital network channels.

But read further and you'll see that you can't get this box for free, even if you use the "Certified Free Claims Code" listed.

To get the box, you have to buy a five-year warranty for $59 and pay shipping and handling fees. That brings the total cost of the converter box to nearly $100.

You can get the same kind of converter box at electronic stores. They sell for about $70, but with the government rebate coupon, you can take one home for $20 or less. No warranty to buy. No shipping and handling to pay.

The Better Business Bureau issued an alert Monday warning consumers about the offer.

"The bottom line is that these ads confuse and mislead consumers. The company, Universal TechTronics, is not helping consumers in any way," said Steve Cox with the Better Business Bureau. "They are preying on consumers. And really, any way you look at this, it's a bad deal."

Universal Techtronics insists its ads are not misleading.

The company's lawyer, John Armstrong told me, "the ad makes it clear that anyone purchasing the five-year warranty will get a box for free." Armstrong calls the offer "an alternative" to the government program.

A spokesman for the government office that handles the digital converter rebate program tells me they are looking into this offer. He also says the Federal Trade Commission is investigating. The FTC would not comment about that.

If you have an old-fashioned analog TV set, hooked up to an antenna, and you want to keep using it after February 17th, you need to buy a digital converter box.

Viewers who have cable or satellite service are not affected by the transition to digital broadcasting, regardless of how old their TV is.

Read more about the DTV transition: DTV Answers