Not sure if it has already been mentioned or answered - but Serve CSR actually told me about the SSN trick:

If you are trying to apply for a Serve while another account was closed within 30 days - the system will probably reject you, especially for having same phone number or email.

I was directed by the CSR to purposely enter a wrong SSN on the application (just one number off from the real SSN), just to let the system proceed. Once that was complete, then the Account Protections folk had me send in an ID and SSN card and they corrected the wrong SSN. Account was immediately opened afterwards. I uploaded the ID's to Serve.com - pretty painless process.

Evidently this 'trick' will get you a new card without having to wait a full month.

Hope this helps.