Short answer
Do not use Help Me for emergencies, paid work, licensed trades, transportation, medical or legal advice, anything illegal, or requests that put someone alone in a private space with you. Those need 911, a professional, or a service built for them. Help Me is small, everyday, public-by-default favors between adults.
The facts, in one place
- Emergencies go to 911, 988, or campus public safety.
- No paid work. The app has no payments at all.
- No electrical, plumbing, mechanical, medical, or legal work.
- Public places by default. Keep private-space requests off the app.
The categories that are always no
Emergencies, because nobody is on call. Paid work, because there is no payment layer. Licensed trades and professional advice, because a neighbor is not a credentialed professional, and treating them like one hurts both people. Anything illegal, which needs no further explanation.
- Emergency, medical, or crisis response.
- Paid tasks, gig work, or hauling for hire.
- Electrical, plumbing, roofing, mechanical repair, childcare, or pet boarding.
- Medical, legal, financial, or immigration advice.
- Anything illegal, or anything you would not do in a lit parking lot.
The judgment-call zone
A hand carrying boxes to a doorway is normal. A stranger spending two hours alone in your apartment is not what this is for. If a request only works when nobody else can see it, that is the signal to stop and use a service built for it.
If someone asks for something off-limits
Decline, then report and block. Both are one tap from the request. Helpers can apply to be reviewed by our team. Help Me does not run background checks. You can report or block any member at any time.
Help Me is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Questions people actually ask
A hand with a few heavy items is reasonable. A full move is a job for movers or friends.
Decline, then report and block. Both are one tap from the request.
No. Childcare is never a Help Me request, however short.
Keep going
- AnswerWhat can I actually ask for?Small, public favors: a phone charger, directions, a jump start in daylight, a hand with something heavy, tech help, or a study session in Fargo-Moorhead.
- Not 911Help Me is not an emergency serviceHelp Me is for small favors in Fargo-Moorhead. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number. Here is how to tell the difference.
- AnswerCan I pay someone who helps me?No. Help Me has no payments, tipping, or fees. Helpers are neighbors giving everyday help, not contractors being hired for a task.
- Ground rulesThe ground rules, said plainlyHow Help Me handles your location, who can help, private chat, and meeting in public. Plus how to report or block anyone. Help Me is not an emergency service.
- legalTerms of ServiceTerms for the Help Me TestFlight beta.
- GuideHow to meet someone new, with your head on straightMeet in public, keep exact location off until you agree, and use report and block. How to meet a neighbor from Help Me, plus when to call 911 instead.
Help Me is a community app for adults in Fargo–Moorhead. It is not a K–12 student program, not a youth chat, and not campus police.