Technology
Urgent warning to change Amazon Alexa settings NOW or you could face huge bills
IT can be convenient to ask Alexa to make orders from Amazon for you but this feature can also leave you vulnerable to orders you don’t want.
Luckily, there’s settings Amazon Echo users can change so reckless friends and family don’t leave them with a huge bill.
AlamyAmazon’s voice order feature can leave you vulnerable to accidental purchases[/caption]
Voice ordering with Alexa works if you use the 1-click option on your Amazon account.
It makes it possible to say things like “Alexa, buy some towels” and you can use your voice to search for the right ones.
Alexa will give you options and when you find one you like you just have to say yes and your order will be placed.
You’ll also be sent an email to confirm the order but will need to be quick if you want to cancel.
AlamyYou can turn the feature off on your Alexa app[/caption]
Problems can arise when Alexa takes orders from kids, friends trying to prank you or even TV adverts.
To stop any unwanted orders, go to your Alexa app and click the “More” button.
Go to “Settings”, then “Account settings” and then click “Voice Purchasing”.
You’ll be given the option to turn voice ordering off or you can choose a “voice code” option.
The code option means you will have to say a specific code each time you want to order.
To avoid further issues you should keep that code to yourself.
What is Alexa?
If you’ve never heard of Alexa, here’s what you need to know…
Alexa is an “intelligent” personal assistant built by Amazon.
You can find her on several different devices, including Amazon’s Echo speakers.
Alexa responds to voice commands, and can talk back to you.
She can perform thousands of different tasks, including telling you about the news or weather.
But she can do more complex things too, like ordering a pizza or arranging an Uber taxi pick-up.
To activate Alexa, you need to say “Alexa” to an Amazon Echo speaker.
Because she’s powered by artificial intelligence, Alexa is constantly getting smarter.
Alexa will also get more used to your voice, and better understand what you want her to do over time.
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