Your Alexa device is a modern convenience—you can check the weather, play your favorite songs, and yes, even order household items just by speaking a command. That last part, however, gives anyone in your home, including guests, children, or roommates, the power to easily buy something with your stored credit card.
Imagine your kid blurts out, “Alexa, order one hundred pounds of bananas!” Or a houseguest jokes, “Alexa, buy a yacht!” Without a protective measure in place, you could find a very surprising, and expensive, package waiting for you at the door.
If you have voice purchasing enabled, you must take an active security step right now: set up a PIN that you also have to say along with your purchase request.
Why a PIN is Critical for Financial Safety
When voice purchasing is enabled without a security layer, any voice—no matter who speaks it—can authorize a transaction using your Amazon account and linked payment method. This creates a massive hole in your financial security.
A Voice Purchasing PIN (or Voice Code) adds a critical second step to the process. Instead of simply saying, “Alexa, buy paper towels,” you would have to say something like, “Alexa, buy paper towels, using PIN one-two-three-four.”
The benefits are immediate:
- Stops Accidental Orders: The biggest protection is against accidental or misunderstood commands, or against kids who know they aren’t supposed to touch your wallet but don’t think twice about asking Alexa for a toy.
- Blocks Unauthorized Users: Guests, babysitters, or friends who don’t know your PIN won’t be able to finalize a purchase on your account.
- Adds Intent: Requiring a PIN ensures that the purchase is intentional, not an impulse or a misinterpreted conversation.
Your Active Solution: How to Set Up the PIN
Setting up the Voice Purchasing PIN is an option within your Amazon account settings, accessible through the Alexa mobile app.
- Open the Alexa App: On your mobile device, open the Amazon Alexa app.
- Go to Settings: Navigate to the “More” section, then tap “Settings.”
- Find Voice Purchasing: Select “Account Settings,” then look for and select “Voice Purchasing.”
- Enable the PIN: Find the option to Require confirmation code (or Voice code) and enter a 4-digit PIN. Make sure to choose a code that is unique and not easily guessed.
A Note of Caution
While the PIN is an excellent security measure, it’s not foolproof. Because you are required to say the code aloud, anyone who happens to be nearby could overhear it. Therefore, it’s also best to ensure that no one is within earshot when you say your PIN to your device. If privacy is paramount, consider disabling voice purchasing altogether for items you don’t frequently reorder.
Take control of your smart speaker’s spending power. Set up your Voice Purchasing PIN today and secure your credit card against rogue commands!
