Voice-controlled speaker orders doll's houses after 'hearing' a TV presenter

Owners have been warned to add a security code.

Published 10th Jan 2017
Last updated 1st May 2019

It's like the stuff from movies, a voice-activated speaker listens what what is going on around it and acts on your commands.

However for some users in the US it went a little too far.

Alexa, the voice service behind the Amazon Echo speaker, has been blamed for ordering doll's houses from the online shop in a few different cases.

Initially a six-year-old girl from Dallas asked Alexa to order a doll's house and a tin of biscuits, which 'she' promptly did, taking her parents by surprise when they arrived on the doorstep.

WATCH: The family explaining what happened when Alexa ordered a doll's house »

Soon after this happened a US TV station in San Diego, California was innudated with complaints when a presenter was talking about the little girl. Jim Patton on CW6 could be heard saying, "I love the little girl saying 'Alexa order me a doll house'."

The reports suggest that after hearing this Alexa then ordered more doll's houses which were sent to the unsuspecting Echo owners!

Amazon has since said that any 'accidental' purchases can be returned free of charge, reminding owners it is also possible to add a four digit security code to prevent issues like this happening again.

More information on how to manage the Voice Purchasing Settings can be found here.

The Amazon Echo was one of the most popular Christmas presents last year.