President's Memo

Atlas Traffic
Consultants Corp.
18-42 College Point Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11356-2221

©2006 Atlas Traffic

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the post-auditing of freight bills?

In a typical post-audit, Atlas Traffic examines freight bills which you have already paid for possible overcharges. If we find overcharges, we file a claim to recover those overcharges you paid to the carrier that shipped your goods. The carrier must refund to you the amount of the overcharge on all valid claims.

What does an Atlas auditor do?

Just as you check your phone bill line by line to make sure that all charges are accurate and that you weren't billed for calls you didn't make, an Atlas auditor verifies that each line of your freight billing is accurate, both in terms of industry practice and the language of the original contract between you and the carrier who moved your goods. There are 66 possible errors that can be identified on a freight bill.

How are overcharges collected?

When an Atlas auditor identifies an overcharge in a client's freight bill, Atlas files a claim with the carrier. Governed by relevant law and industry practice, this claim must be responded to in a timely manner. By identifying, as much as possible, only those bills which legitimately contain overcharges, Atlas has established a reputation among carriers for honesty and integrity, making it easier for us to collect your money.

Once Atlas collects on a claim, how does the client get paid?

Atlas pays clients in one of two ways: 1. The carrier issues a check for the claim amount payable to you and mails it to Atlas. Atlas verifies that the check is written in the amount of the original claim and then forwards the check to you with an invoice for our portion of the recovery. 2. Most clients authorize Atlas to deposit claim checks in our bank. Atlas Traffic then issues a check payable to you for your portion of the claim.

Which method of payment should I choose?

For your convenience, Atlas recommends method #2. Eighty percent of our clients have chosen this method. It cuts down on paperwork, bookkeeping and time.

How does Atlas get paid?

Atlas receives a percentage of the recovered overcharges. We work on a contingency basis, which means if we don't collect for you, we don't get paid.

What happens if no overcharges are found in my bills?

If no overcharges are found, we return your bills with a statement to that effect. You owe Atlas Traffic nothing and you have the peace of mind knowing that your bills have been verified by industry experts.

What is a pre-audit payment/logistics firm?

Many of our clients rely on pre-audit payment/logistics services for their initial freight audits. These firms are responsible for checking freight bills and making sure payments are made within the time limit set by the carrier, protecting clients' reputations and credit lines. For our clients' convenience, we can receive bills directly from pre-audit services, but Atlas is not a pre-audit firm. Our auditors have made careers out of finding dollars in the nooks and crannies of freight billing that pre-audit firms overlook. Post-audits are all we do.

What is the 180-day limit?

The Transportation Industry Regulatory Act (TIRRA) and the Interstate Commerce Commission Act (ICCTA), passed in 1994 and 1996 respectively, established a 180-day window of opportunity to contest trucking bills. (Other modes of shipping -- rail, ocean and air -- are not covered by these acts.) All claims for truck shipment overcharges must be filed within this 180-day period to be valid.

What is EDI?

EDI, or Electronic Data Interchange, is the computer-to-computer transmission and receipt of data -- for example, information on a freight bill -- without a paper copy, that conforms to an established industry standard format.

How can I contact Atlas Traffic?

Call us at 1-800-843-4553 or (718) 461-0555, or fax us at (718) 461-0657. Write us at Atlas Traffic Consultants, 18-42 College Point Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11356-2221. Or contact us via e-mail.