-- Although you probably want your tax refund as soon as possible, some consumer groups believe that the fast refunds being offered are actually gouging taxpayers out of their own money.

Five On Your Side Troubleshooter Chris Caswell reports that the quick refunds are really loans, and sometimes consumers end up paying high fees. Are the rapid refunds worth it?

You can now choose to get your tax refund in one day. The idea of cash in hand is tempting, but the Ohio Public Interest Research Group said that you aren't getting an instant refund -- you're getting an instant loan.

"People should not be jumping the gun and having these extremely high-interest loans," Kate Strouse of the Ohio PIRG said.

For example, let's say that you are due a refund of $500. Now subtract approximately $60 for a preparation fee, $37 for an electronic filing fee and a $30 fee to originate the bank loan. You've just lost $127 from your $500 refund.

But you can hold onto your hard-earned cash by filing yourself or filing online, WEWS reports.

"Consumers don't know that they can get a tax refund if they do electronic filing or the 'quick tax' with the IRS," Strouse said. "They can get their refund back within two weeks anyway."

But tax preparation services like H & R Block said that the refund-anticipated loans are an added convenience to consumers who want their money quickly.

"They look at it more (like) 'It's costing me (an) additional $69.95, whatever the fee might be, to do that to get the use of this money, in effect, three weeks sooner,'" Mark Kuharcik of H & R Block said.

The consumer is given a choice, but PIRG said that even for those who are strapped for cash, a few more days of waiting will put more money in their pockets.

"No matter how desperate people are to get money, they should wait the two weeks to get the refund from the IRS so they are not paying those high fees," Strouse said.

Some online programs such as Turbo Tax walk you through your taxes for less than $30, and some libraries also offer free advice. Experts recommend checking out all your options before you file, if you haven't already.

For more free tax advice and IRS forms, go to NewsNet5's Tax Tips Section.