A financial services company that the Federal Trade Commission said purposely misled folks looking to launch home-based businesses has been ordered to pay $15 million in restitution to customers, the FTC announced Tuesday.

The Tax Club’s telemarketing operation pitched sham jobs and other go-it-alone opportunities to people who thought they were receiving services essential to the success of their aspiring home-based business, the FTC alleged.

The company falsely claimed affiliation with legitimate companies who consumers had already bought services from, the FTC said.

The company — whose tag line was “Be your own boss” –charged high fees for its services, but often failed to deliver on them, according to the FTC, which brought the charges along with the New York and Florida Attorneys General in January.

Always do your research before getting involved in a new business opportunity.