Staples Must Face Claims Over Phone Charging Packs’ Capacity

Staples Inc. must face consumer protection claims in a would-be class suit over portable charger packs that allegedly deliver less power than advertised, but an Illinois federal court dismissed warranty claims for now.

Peter Bonahoom plausibly alleged a deception claim under the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois said Wednesday.

Power Banks charge the internal batteries of cell phones and tablets when wall outlets aren’t available. Their capacity is measured in milliamps per hour (mAh). Staples sold models with advertised capacities of 2,200, 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000 mAh, Bonahoom said.

Bonahoom, who ...