Residents in Dorset are being warned of a rise in scams involving fake messages claiming to be from water companies. The "Hi Mum" and "Hi Dad" scam has also been reported, with fraudsters using hot weather as part of their story to explain a broken or lost phone. Similar scams often begin with an innocent conversation before asking for money. The public is advised to confirm any requests directly with the person using a trusted contact number. Anyone who believes they have been targeted by fraud is urged to report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040.