sorry, I didn't mention that I'd previously changed language on the menu options - as fedeprovenza points out

I'm sorry, but if you could walk me through how to do this that'd be great.

thanks

dial *124*4242# [send]

wait for callback (screen message in Italian); answer

start listening to the menu; don't bother with the whole lot

press 6

another menu means press 1 for Italian; 2 for English

then the menu repeats in English: sms info services 0; recharge 1; balance 2, etc ...

the call is free here, but I wouldn't be certain about everywhere; you can also check the balance by dialling *123#

i think the call is free everywhere

Today I tried this again and it doesn't seem to work; I get an instant pop-up message that the credit card is new or not accepted. But it's a reissue of the same card used a year ago, only expiry date and a couple of numbers have changed

Have Wind ceased accepting foreign cards?

Who knows, it seems they change every month... it's always so complicated to refill Italian simcards with non Italian credit cards :(