Tips and Guidelines: Effective Communication, Wage Policies, and Compliance
Below are guidelines to help you be successful and to protect the integrity of the FlashlightNOW (FN) Marketplace and FlashlightNOW Protection On Demand (FNPOD).
Invoicing and Payments
- When a customer pays your invoice from their FlashlightNOW dashboard, the money plus tax is transferred directly to your bank account. You pay your employees.
- All invoices and payments between you and your customers must be exchanged using the secure Stripe account that has been integrated into your free account and private dashboard. For more information about Stripe, please Visit Online payment processing for internet businesses – Stripe.
- When a customer pays your invoice, the verified funds are transferred directly from their Stripe account to your Stripe account. That money is then, at your discretion, transferred to your bank account.
- Sales tax and/or other taxes established by your taxing authority are collected and paid to you. It is then your obligation to pay those taxes.
- Providers must use the integrated Stripe platform when collaborating with customers received as a result of Flashlight’s marketing, platforms, software, and/or website. Efforts to evade the platform will result in the termination of your account.
How FlashlightNOW earns money
Our software collects a fixed percentage-based fee after you are paid by your customer.
Scheduled Services using the FlashlightNOW Web/desktop application:
- FlashlightNOW collects 10% of the total invoice amount, excluding tax.
FlashlightNOW Protection On Demand using the mobile application:
- FlashlightNOW collects 20% of a protective event’s total amount, excluding tax.
FlashlightNOW Protection On Demand
The primary role of FlashlightNOW is to help facilitate business between you and your customers. The guidelines below, are essential to maintaining the integrity and safety of the platform:
- FlashlightNOW establishes and maintains the pricing model. Pricing models may vary by area and service type.
- We require you, the licensed provider, to pay your guard/protective agent performing POD, a minimum of time and half of their wage, or $30 per hour, whichever is greater.
- All other wage consideration are yours, including the decision to pay more than the $30 per hour to high-performing employees.
- Note: Overtime worked while performing POD should be based on the $30 per hour minimum pay
Current Rates for Protection On Demand
Personal Safety Escorts:
- The base charge is $30.00 plus tax for 30 minutes of service.
- A Personal Safety Escort lasting more than 30 minutes will be charged $1.50 per plus tax per minute.
- There is a $10.00 charge for cancellations made more than 5 minutes after the Protective Agent has accepted the order.
Business Safety Escorts:
- The base charge is $70 plus tax per order/hour.
- A Business Safety Escort lasting more than 1 hour will be charged $17.50 plus tax per quarter hour.
- There is a $10.00 charge for cancellations made more than 5 minutes after the Protective Agent has accepted the order.
Business, Residential, and Institutional Security Guarding/Protective Agent Services:
- The base rate is $80 plus tax per order/hour.
- There is a minimum 2-hour charge for each order.
- Guarding lasting more than 2 hours will be charged $20.00 plus tax every quarter hour.
- There is a $20 charge for cancellations made more than 5 minutes after the Provider has accepted the order.
Please note:
- The rate timer starts when the Security Guard/Protective Agent registers their arrival on the Protection On Demand mobile application.
- A customer that cancels service after the Security Guard/Protective Agent has arrived is charged the base rate.
- Rates do not include sales tax or common credit card transaction fees.
- All credit card payments are processed by Stripe, the secure PCI (Payment Card Industry) payment processing platform, trusted by millions of companies and customers worldwide.
Personal Safety Escorts are reserved for Personal Safety Escorts and designated Special Events like festivals and concerts.
- If chosen incorrectly by the customer, your Security Guard/Protective Agent should complete the service as requested, or if appropriate, recommend the best service type.
- An event charge begins when the guard or protective agent registers his or her arrival on site through the FlashlightNOW mobile application.
- Event and hourly rates do not include credit processing/transaction fees.
- All payments are processed by Stripe, a PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliant global payment processing platform.
POD: Additional Considerations and Requirements:
Personal Safety Escorts:
- We anticipate that there will be times when customers ask protective agents to transport them from one location to another. If you choose to transport customers, it must be performed in accordance with your company policies and procedures, and in complete compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
- The guard or protective agent must be in your company’s designated uniform and in possession of a company ID and valid government issued ID.
- Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the termination of your account and use FlashlightNOW services.
Vehicle Related Considerations and Requirements:
- Guards and protective agents may only use vehicles approved by you and that you have entered into the system. All vehicles must be properly registered and adequately insured.
- FN requires that transports be performed in a legally marked company vehicle. No personal vehicles can be used to transport customers. Personal vehicles approved by you, and entered into the system, can be used to respond to all calls for service, not including personal transports.
- FN provides users identifying information about guards, protective agents, and their vehicles, including their license plate number, vehicle make and model, profile picture, and name. It is required that this information be accurate to avoid confusion and ensure customer safety.
- Providers are expected to keep their vehicles maintained and in compliance with industry safety and maintenance standards.
- While not required, we encourage the use of in-car cameras that record video and/or audio. However, please consider the following:
- Customers may be concerned about the use of an in-car camera including how the video, their image, or the conversation captured may be used. In some areas, local laws and regulations require a customer/rider provide consent to being recorded. Please be aware of local laws and mandates and ensure you comply with them.
- The video, images, or audio obtained while performing POD from in-car cameras can only be utilized only for proper and professional purposes.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in termination of your account and your inability to access or use FlashlightNOW services.
Examples of Acts or omissions that will cause a Provider/Employee Being Removed from FlashlightNOW?
- We will not tolerate discrimination against anyone based on race, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or any other protection provided by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.
- Verified instances of services performed in a disrespectful, poor, incomplete, negligent, or unlawful manner.
- Violations of the terms of agreement.
- Efforts to disintermediate or circumvent FlashlightNOW invoicing and payment processing platform.
- Provider Employees are prohibited from contacting POD customers to establish personal relationships, for personal gain and/or without the consent of the Provider.
Get Started
Welcome to FlashlightNOW, the new online marketplace, web, and mobile applications that make it easy, efficient, and cost effective to find, hire, and do business directly with verified licensed Security Companies, Private Investigative Companies, and Expert Public Safety.
Unlike the large companies that dominate your search results, FlashlightNOW does not get in between you and your actual provider. For example, these other companies will often quote you a significant price, then subcontract the work to others at a much lower price. These prime contractors charge you more and pay your local providers less. FlashlightNOW simply enables and facilitates the easy and frictionless direct connection between you and your local, verified licensed providers. There are no finders fees, paywalls, or jacked up prices. Your quotes, contracts, and eventual payments are all between you and your local provider. You save money and keep it local. This helps your provider, improves wages for their employees, and promotes the wellbeing of your community! Thank you!
FlashlightNOW is proud to be home to qualified providers of all security guarding, private investigative, and public safety related training and consulting services. The scope of each providers services may vary but you can find a general list of services below. Security Services: Corporate Security Commercial Security Residential Security Event Security Concierge Security Retail Security Construction Site Security School Security Workplace Security And more. Private Investigation Services: Asset and Financial Investigations Criminal Case Support Litigation Support Background and Pre-Employment Screenings Domestic Concerns Missing Persons Civil Case Support Nursing Home Negligence Process Services And more. Training & Consulting Workplace Safety and Security Training Active Violence Prevention and Response Crisis and Mental Health Response Critical Incident Management Training De-Escalation Training Emergency Preparedness and Management Training Security Threat and Risk Assessment Event Security Planning Personal Safety and Protection And more. Executive Protection 24/7 Bodyguard Personal Driver Personal Protective Agent Travel Protective Agent VIP Executive Protection Guard And more.
Using FlashlightNow
Choose a provider you’d like to request a quote from the populated list on the find services page . Click “Request a Quote” in the top right corner of your screen. A request form will automatically populate. Fill in as much information and detail as you can to receive the most accurate quote from the provider. Click the “Request Quote” button at the bottom of the form to send it to the provider
Choose a provider you’d like to contact from the populated list on the find services page . Click “Send a Message” in the top right corner of your screen. Type your message and it will be delivered to the provider’s FlashlightNOW inbox immediately after it is sent. To view any new messages you receive, click on the message bubble in the right hand corner and click “View All” to open your personal inbox. *Coming soon! Feature that enables you to simultaneously request quotes from three different providers.
Login to your account on FlashlightNOW and click “Find Services” to search for a provider. You will be taken to the Find Services page . Enter the zip code or city name to find providers in that location. You can narrow down your search by expanding the filters on the left hand side and selecting which services and skills you’d like to search for. Click “Apply” and it would populate a list of providers that fit your selected criteria. When you find a provider you’d like to contact, click on their icon to open up their full profile. From here, you can send the provider a message by clicking “Send a Message” or request pricing by clicking on “Request a Quote.” You can always send a provider a message, but it isn’t required. Whereas, you will always need to request a quote for a provider the first time you hire them. To request a quote, you will need to know basic information about the event such as date, time, and location. The provider will review the information you provided and send you a contract which will be found in your messages. Click on “View Contract” within your messages to view the provider’s estimate. You will have the option to either accept or deny the contract. By accepting the contract, you will be securing the provider for your event and agree to the provider’s policies as stated in the contract. Once the contract is accepted, it will be added to your events. You can monitor your upcoming events and past history by clicking on the my events tab in the header at any time. You can also message the provider directly at any time through your messages as well.
Visit the find services page . Enter the city or zip code that you’d like to locate a provider in. Narrow your selection by specifying specific services and skills in the left-hand column. Click “Apply” and a list of providers matching your request will populate.
Profile and Account
Login to your account. Click on the profile icon in the right hand corner of your screen. Click “Change Password.” Enter your current and new password. Click “Save” and your password will be updated.
Go to the sign in page of FlashlightNOW. Click “Forgot Password?” Enter your email address. You will receive a link to reset your password in your email inbox if you have a FlashlightNOW account. Follow that link to finish resetting your password. *Check your spam folder if you do not see the email in your inbox.
Please reach out to us at hello@flashlightnow.com to change your email address.
We seek to enhance the wellbeing of our communities by interrupting the opportunities for crime and victimization. FlashlightNOW was created to change the future of victimization by making safety and security services available to everyone, whenever and wherever they need it. As a team, we are always looking for ways to enhance safety by providing easy and efficient accessibility to all: Licensed security guarding and protective agent services Licensed private investigative services Qualified Public Safety and Security Training and Consulting services. FlashlightNOW will provide information and data necessary to assist law enforcement whenever presented with valid legal process. We have a dedicated team to ready to review and promptly respond to legal requests from law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement agencies should submit information requests to Support@flashlightnow.com. If you presented with exigent circumstances, please call CEO Jeff Ankerfelt at 952-225-4248.
Providers
FlashlightNOW is committed to creating marketplaces where only legitimate, law-abiding companies do business. Maintaining this standard will attract good customers and further promote the important services provided by you, the true professionals. Companies that create an account on FlashlightNOW platforms must attest to and then maintain the following: Meet all applicable business, credentials, qualifications, and licensing requirements set forth in the state and area in which you and your company are registered and/or in which you will provide services. Agree to follow all federal, state, and local jurisdictional laws and regulations as they relate to the delivery of all security services, training and consulting services, private investigative services, and executive and close protection services where you are legally authorized to provide those services. Follow all mandated requirements in the respective area in which you and your company operate as it relates to the hiring, onboarding, and training of personnel. Where applicable, this includes, but is not limited to, conducting pre-employment criminal and civil background checks, drug screenings, fingerprinting, and pre-assignment and refresher trainings. Comply with mandated regulations in your area regarding being bonded and insured. Agree that if you and/or your company are no longer able to attest to meeting the requirements of FlashlightNOW, or any others as required by law, you will immediately notify FlashlightNOW of non-compliance. Additional requirement for the providers of Security, Private Investigative and Executive/Close Protection services: Each state has different statutory requirements that providers of these services must meet to obtain and maintain licensure. Only providers that met all required state statutes, regulations, and/or local regulations where these services are delivered can do business on FlashlightNOW. FlashlightNOW verifies that required license are valid during the account creation process, and then performs periodic verification audits to ensure statutory compliance. Failure to maintain a valid license will result in a provider’s suspension or removal from the FlashlightNOW marketplace. Allegations of gross or illegal misconduct will result in an immediate account suspension and referral to the state’s governing board. Repeated, valid customer complaints may also result in the suspension and/or revocation of account.
You are not required to add any additional files. However, many providers find it helpful to be able to attach an alternative contract, copies of floor plans, or any other attachments that may be helpful. To add any additional files, click on the “Exhibit Files” tab within the event contract form. Then, click on ADD EXHIBIT FILES. This is where you can upload as many documents as you need (e.g. alternate contract, floor plans, reports). Once you’re ready to send the contract to the customer, click SEND in the top right corner of the page. The customer will receive the contract and be able to view all exhibits and attachments. These attachments will remain within the contract form so that it can be referenced by either party at any time. The customer will be able to accept or decline the contract. If it is declined, you are able make edits, add, or remove information and attachments until the contract is accepted.
All payments are collected and paid through Stripe. When you created your provider account, you should have created a Stripe account, which links to your FlashlightNOW provider account to receive payouts. When you send an invoice to a customer, you will see the invoice status as “Open.” The customer will receive and pay the invoice directly within their FlashlightNOW account. They are able to keep track of upcoming and paid invoices, similar to what your provider dashboard looks like. When the customer pays an invoice, it is sent and verified through Stripe. Once it is processed through Stripe, the invoice status on FlashlightNOW will change. This processing time may take up to seven business days to reflect as “Paid” on FlashlightNOW. For additional information, please visit Stripe’s website about payments and payouts .
Staffing for new jobs and clients can be difficult. When creating a free account, each provider can indicate whether or not they are available for subcontracting. You can use your Provider dashboard to search for and communicate with available licensed or qualified partners to quickly staff up and take on new jobs!
Protection on Demand
To create your free FlashlightNOW account, first go to app.flashlightnow.com on any device and click sign up. Once you click sign up, you will fill out the information and click SIGN UP AS A CUSTOMER OR GUARD. You will then receive an email from FlashlightNOW to confirm your account. Click the VERIFY button. This will redirect you back to the site and bring you to your profile. After you fill out the missing information on your profile, you are an active customer and able to use the FlashlightNOW Protection On Demand App. Once you download the FlashlightNOW Protection On Demand App, you can log in with the account you created and are ready to summon a guard to keep you safe and secure.
Personal safety escort: $30 for 30 minutes/per event. Festivals Concerts Students and Teachers sporting events fairs and carnivals Bars and nightclubs Real estate agent safety House walkthroughs House Checks Nights out alone or with friends Business Safety Escorts: $70 per event/hour. 1-hour minimum charge. ATM service protection Bank drop escort. Personal guarding Employee Safety Escorts Weddings Performers Shelter residents and safe places Roadside protection Commercial building walk throughs Real estate showings and walkthroughs Business Security: $80 per event/hour. 2-hour minimum charge. Retail Construction Sites Convenience and Grocery stores Bars, restaurants, and night clubs Supplemental security staffing Commercial property Businesses Workplace security Storage Facilities Employee Terminations Commercial Eviction standby’s Residential Security: $80 per event/hour. 2-hour minimum charge. Apartment homes Townhomes Housing developments individual property Home building sites Parties Neighborhood events Neighborhood security Residential associations Eviction standby’s Alarms and open doors Institutional Security: $80 per event/hour. 2-hour minimum charge. Houses of worship Security Primary and secondary Schools, colleges and universities Voting site security Government Agencies and Buildings Community Centers Youth and senior recreation centers Wedding security Libraries Alarms and open doors
Personal Safety Escorts: The base charge is $30.00 plus tax for 30 minutes of service. A Personal Safety Escort lasting more than 30 minutes will be charged $1.50 per plus tax per minute. There is a $10.00 charge for cancellations made more than 5 minutes after the Protective Agent has accepted the order. Business Safety Escorts: The base charge is $70 plus tax per order/hour. A Business Safety Escort lasting more than 1 hour will be charged $17.50 plus tax per quarter hour. There is a $10.00 charge for cancellations made more than 5 minutes after the Protective Agent has accepted the order. Business, Residential, and Institutional Security Guarding/Protective Agent Services: The base rate is $80 plus tax per order/hour. There is a minimum 2-hour charge for each order. Guarding lasting more than 2 hours will be charged $20.00 plus tax every quarter hour. There is a $20 charge for cancellations made more than 5 minutes after the Provider has accepted the order. Please note: The rate timer starts when the Security Guard/Protective Agent registers their arrival on the Protection On Demand mobile application. A customer that cancels service after the Security Guard/Protective Agent has arrived is charged the base rate. Rates do not include sales tax or common credit card transaction fees. All credit card payments are processed by Stripe, the secure PCI (Payment Card Industry) payment processing platform, trusted by millions of companies and customers worldwide. Personal Safety Escort is reserved for Personal Safety Escorts and designated Special Events like festivals and concerts. If chosen incorrectly, your Security Guard/Protective Agent may recommend the best service type. Attention Providers, Protective Agents, and Security guards. Improving safety is our purpose: Protection On Demand is a new service that may be confusing to first time users of POD. If you find that a customer has selected the wrong service type, do not deny service. Please provide them with information and complete the service. For more information, please consult your Company’s Policy and FlashlightNOW P.O.D. policy.
Protection On Demand is an innovative app and service that lets you call for protection on demand from a security guard or protective agent who will come to your location or another location you specify in minutes. The guards and agents are verified employees of local licensed security and protective agent companies. Your service request is conveniently sent to the closest available guard or agent with just a quick tap on the app. Within seconds, an available guard/agent will accept your request. When accepted, you will instantly receive verified information including: Name and a photo of the verified guard/agent. The name of the licensed company providing the service guard/agent. Vehicle information and photo of license plate The estimated time of arrival as calculated by geolocation. Phone number to communicate and share details within the app. Automated payment calculation and payment via Stripe after the service event is completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
FlashlightNOW vetted and selected Stripe as the globally secure and efficient payment platform for exchanging invoices and payments. The primary payment method for the FlashlightNOW Online Marketplace is ACH. The required method of payment for the FlashlightNOW Protection On Demand Mobile app and service is credit card.
FlashlightNOW is committed to helping keep you safe and sound. The FlashlightNOW Protection On Demand mobile app connects you to legally licensed security companies and their qualified guards and protective agents. Safety Tips Call 911 immediately if you have been hurt or think that you are in danger. All guards and protective agents are the employees of licensed security companies and must meet the qualifications as required by the laws and regulations of your state. When a service is requested, a nearby guard is notified of the general location and service type. The guard can only see more detailed location information after the guard has accepted your request. Once the guard has accepted your request for service you will receive information about the guard including: The guards’ name. The name of the licensed security company they work for Photograph provided by the guard’s employer. Company vehicle description and license plate. Within the mobile app, you can: Safely communicate with the guard using the apps messaging feature or by calling to share things like more detailed directions, the specifics of the job and more. For your privacy and safety, our software displays a random number for each event to both you and the guard. After the guard has accepted your job request: Observe in your app that the guard is on the way and the estimated time of arrival. If possible, message or call the guard to provide more details about the nature of your service request. If needed, provide more detail about the service location and/or where to meet you. Be aware of your surroundings including people and hazards. When your Security Guard/Protective Agent arrives, confirm their identity by comparing it to the information you received within your application. Ask for their name. Match what you visually observe with the photograph in the mobile app. Match the license plate number. Match the car’s make and model. Observe that they are wearing the uniform of the licensed security company that they work for. Ask for the guards’ company issued identification card. Do not work with a guard whose information in the application does not match with your own observations. If you have this experience, please notify flashlightNOW at hello@flashlightnow.com or call 952-829-1567. FlashlightNOW is committed to your safety and satisfaction. We are in the process of creating features that enhance: your anonymity while using the app, location sharing with friends and family, and rate and comment on the service you received from the Providers company. Please send any complaints, comments, and features you would like to see to hello@flashlightnow.com
Consulting and Training services are offered by companies, individual providers, and public safety professionals that, through a combination of experience, education and certifications have developed a demonstrable expertise in one or more areas. We verify the advertised certifications of providers before allowing them to exchange services on our platform.
No, we are something new and unique in the market. We have created and run the first online marketplaces and software platforms that help you quickly connect and then work directly with local, independent, and verified licensed and qualified providers. You can save time and money by doing business directly with the providers who will deliver better and more accountable service. No more internet searches, contact forms, or go-betweens who charge you more but pay less to the Providers and workers.
