The disclosed embodiments provide a charging station for portable electronic devices. Upon initiating a transaction associated with charging of the portable electronic device by the charging station, the charging station attempts to detect a presence of the portable electronic device in a secure compartment of the charging station, wherein power is supplied to the portable electronic device within the secure compartment. If the presence of the portable electronic device in the secure compartment is detected, the charging station secures a door of the secure compartment. If the presence of the portable electronic device in the secure compartment is not detected, the charging station queries a user of the portable electronic device for input related to a lack of detection of the presence and processes the transaction based on the input.