Consider the possibility that you made a typographical error on that application. The number on your existing accounts may be correct, while the number on the application was not.
If you want to investigate further:
1) If you tell them your correct Social Security number will they tell you (yes/no) if that is the number in their records? I would work on this on weekday during normal business hours, because front line customer service agents probably cannot see that detail.
2) Have you contacted the Social Security Administration to check if your number has been erroneously reported as deceased?
They said they have the incorrect SS across all accounts. I have four cards I've opened up over the years, and I've never had this issue before. I am not sure how to fix this. I am not sure how I can call AMEX and say, for the last 25+ years, some how, you have the incorrect SS number.
Rather not, but I could just close all accounts and re-apply over time. I have a credit card they no longer issue, so I'd lose that card. That's really the only thing that would suck.