I'm a solo female traveler in a country where credit cards are not widely accepted. All the guidebooks say not to use credit cards much due to identity theft here. I'm nervous that if there is some sort of accident, I won't have cash to deal with it.

If Citibank thought I was a thief, then why are they discussing my meal purchases with me with the card over the phone? Why did one agent suggest that I book a hotel room and then cancel and ask for the refund in cash? I'm considering doing that last one but I think it sounds really shady. I don't know. I might try what Djibouti suggested about the restaurant but I'll feel really embarrassed. But that's a good idea. Do embassies do emergency loans? I've never heard of that.