I really don't like the way that the club are going about this at all. Targeting the wrong people, scaremongering and making example of poor regulars who are ultimately in a rock and a hard place when purchasing tickets.
These tickets go on sale to members in July and November, for up to 6 months in advance, with us having no idea on when the game is going to be played because of TV schedules not being released until 4 weeks in advance in some cases.
People have lives, family holidays, sickness, work commitments, bereavements and any many other reasons as to why they couldn't attend a game that they purchased 6 months previously. It's just totally unfair to ban someone for life because they passed a ticket to a family member / friend without informing the club because the club wants to be seen as 'tackling touting'. Sorry LFC if 'X supporter' didnt realise that they were going to have appendicitis 2 days before the game and didnt think to email you to let you know their brother was going to attend the game instead.
You wouldnt ban a music fan from attending concerts because they purchased a ticket then couldnt go 6 months later and passed it to their parent as a present. I cant think of one person who hasnt received a theatre, concert or similar ticket as a present in their lifetime. My first game as a lad was off the back of my friend & his dad not being able to go so they offered us their tickets.
With the way that members are asked to purchase tickets and the circumstances around them, I believe the club should first put in place a system and process that allows members to select 5 family/friends at the start of the season that they can use in emergencies, or have the chance to return them to the club less than 2 weeks before the game! Only at this point though should the club be doing spot checks and trying to catch people out, not half way through a season or towards the end of the year when it's more likely that someone's circumstances have changed since November. It just seems wrong to me.
There's absolutely no chance I'll be using the exchange on here again when/if I cant go. My seat will go spare, it's as simple as that. It's not worth the risk. I'd rather lose the £40 than lose the potential £400 of tickets paid on my card and 10+ years of loyalty.