We've mentioned before about firms charging you to help you get back your bank penalty charges.

Regulators are now investigating the tactics of theses "no-win-no-fee" firms. The newly-formed Ministry of Justice is looking at the tactics used by these types of firms, including cold-calling.

Since the campaign to recover penalty charges took off, more than 30 no-win-no-fee firms have started up. Most offer to recover your bank charges for a fee of about 25%, but consumer groups say you can do this for yourselves.

In addition, BBC Radio 4's Today programme discovered that the Information Commission is probing the tactics of these firms. The Information Commission is responding to complaints from some members of the public relating to unsolicited automated telephone messages.

The Commission told the BBC that it has written to one claim firm to tell them that such automated messages could breach the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.

Leading Consumer groups have warned people against responding to unsolicited calls. "People can stick up for themselves rather than go to these firms, some of which are charging high prices for their work," said Mark Gander, spokesman for the Consumer Action Group.

"There is an organisation that is actually claiming to be us which is cold calling people in this way. This is tremendously damaging. The idea of cold calling in this way is disgraceful, anyone involved in this deserves the label of ambulance chaser," Mr. Gander added.

On Tuesday, a judge in Birmingham found in favour of Lloyds TSB after it was sued by a customer for imposing supposedly unfair overdraft penalty charges.

The BBC has now learned that the judge in the case has written to a no-win-no-fee firm warning them that by completing legal forms on behalf of claimants they may be unlawfully acting as a solicitor.

Using a no win no nee firm to get back your penalty charges can save you time and effort, but not always money.

As we have said before, there are plenty of free resources you can use, and after hearing that these types of companies are being investigated, it might make sense to avoid them even more!