Sometimes, robocalls are random. But they can also be an attempt to get a person’s sensitive information and sell it.

That’s what the Federal Trade Commission says happened with Response Tree LLC. The lead-generation company based in California recently agreed to a settlement with the FTC that bans the company from making or assisting in making robocalls or calling phone numbers on the federal Do Not Call Registry.

People looking for a quote to refinance their mortgage gave the company their name and number. But instead of giving quotes, Response Tree took the information and sold it to telemarketers making illegal robocalls about fake automobile warranties, solar panels, hearing aids, and Social Security disability services, according to the FTC.

To avoid and report suspected robocalls and scams, the FTC tells consumers to:

• Know your rights. A robocall trying to sell something is illegal unless the company has your written permission to call you that way.

• Help investigators stop illegal robocalls by reporting them online at DoNotCall.gov. More advice on how to stop unwanted calls is at ftc.gov/calls.

Source: Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources