I'm from Romania and I don't think this in an issue. Romania is known for hackers though

I'm having this exact same issue with Bitstamp! I've deposited some bitcoins, they've changed the rules and now I'm stuck without any option to retrieve bitcoins without going through verification ... I've even tried the verification and it's not easy as they keep refusing my documents! So both Mtgox and Bitstamp are doing "bait and switch" ... which exchange can we trust ?

EDIT: actually I've just checked and the bitcoin transfer I've initiated yesterday from an unverified Mtgox account worked. So they are better then Bitstamp

I thought so too, but they are throwing blame on regulations and expect to get away with that ... the thing is there are no regulations for bitcoin transfers! So nothing prevents them from allowing me to retrieve my bitcoins and close my account. Still they don't allow me to do that .... this is the shady part!

I've sent my id card (i'm from Romania) and they seemed to be ok with that. On the other hand residence proof is much more complicated.

They accept paper utility bills (not electronic) sent to my name and my address or some form of local institution issued paper. I'm renting an apartment so utility bills don't have my name on them. Phone bill is on my name but it's electronic only. On the back of my id card the local police updates my residence address every year, i've sent them that but they refused it without explanation. I've sent my rent contract valid for entire 2013, they've also refused it because it was issued more then 3 months ago, WTF ... I can only validate an account during a 3 month window ?

Long story short, if you live in the 21st century and receive only electronic bills or rent an apartment and you don't have much paperwork on your name you're screwed! And if you've had some cash with them before enabling this policy ... you're double screwed!!

Hello bitcoiners, here is my horror story with Bitstamp:

Before this happened, I've used Mtgox for a while but they were having delays with SEPA transfers so I started looking for alternatives. I've heard that Bitstamp is ok so I signed up and moved some of my bitcoins to them. They happily accepted my coins and then they remained there untouched until a couple of weeks ago when I wanted to sell some ... and SURPRIZE !! I've discovered that their policy has changed and they require account verification for all withdrawals, including bitcoins. I've heard that it's perfectly reasonable to ask for that if you want to do transactions with banks, but I only want to pull my bitcoins back and close the account, without involving any banks.   Mtgox allows that without any problem ...

I said ok, I'll play by your rules and give you papers to prove my identity and address ... the problem is they constantly refused all the documents that I've sent without providing a reasonable explanation !! First I thought that I'm doing something wrong, but after a while I've realized that they simply do not have any interest to validate my account, it's easier for them to just say: "i don't like your document, go away! meanwhile your bitcoins belong to us".  

I do not know if it's BAD SUPPORT or they've actually STOLE MY BITCOINS, what is certain is that they now own my bitcoins and they don't give a fuck about me ... trust is very important in the bitcoin economy and BITSTAMP LOST MY TRUST !!  

How many out there had this bad experience and what should we do about it ?

TL;DR Bitstamp is using the verification (required by banks to do business with them) as an EXCUSE TO STEAL bitcoins from accounts that are unable to meet their impossible verification standards.

LATER EDIT: They eventually accepted my bank statement as proof of residence and my account is verified now ... but I still don't like that they've blocked access to my bitcoins!