Tabby and Tamara Are Now Included in UAE Credit Reports

From July 2026, UAE credit reports issued by Etihad Credit Bureau include Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) account information supplied by Tabby and Tamara. The change covers existing and new customers in the UAE and includes relevant historical information.

According to the announcement reported by Gulf News, the aim is to give lenders a fuller view of a customer’s financial commitments. It also moves two of the UAE’s most widely used BNPL services firmly into the formal credit-reporting system.

What changes for Tabby and Tamara customers?

Banks, finance companies and other authorised users of Etihad Credit Bureau data may now see BNPL account and repayment information alongside more traditional obligations when assessing an application.

The update applies whether you already used Tabby or Tamara before July 2026 or open an account later. Relevant historical information may therefore appear; it is not limited to purchases made after the announcement.

This was not entirely unexpected. Tabby’s data-consent notice says it may obtain an Etihad Credit Bureau report and share credit information with the bureau. Tamara’s privacy policy also allows account information to be shared with credit-reporting agencies where permitted by law.

Does BNPL now affect your credit score?

Using Tabby or Tamara does not automatically lower your score, and Etihad Credit Bureau has not published a fixed number of points gained or lost for an individual BNPL payment.

The distinction matters: a credit report contains information about financial obligations and payment history, while the credit score is a 300–900 risk indicator calculated from multiple parts of a person’s credit profile. Etihad Credit Bureau lists payment track record and the number and management of credit contracts among the factors that can influence a score.

The practical conclusion is that BNPL activity is now more visible. Paying on time can support a record of responsible repayment, while overdue commitments may be considered negatively by lenders. Each lender still applies its own affordability and approval rules.

What should you do now?

• Track every instalment. Treat BNPL plans as credit commitments, even when the checkout advertises zero interest.
• Avoid stacking plans you cannot comfortably repay. Lenders may consider your wider set of commitments when reviewing a new application.
• Review your credit report. Etihad Credit Bureau says an individual report includes financial obligations and payment history. Reports are available through its website, app and supported UAE government apps.
• Correct inaccurate information. If a Tabby or Tamara entry is wrong, use Etihad Credit Bureau’s data-correction service. The bureau sends a valid correction request to the relevant information provider.

The update does not make BNPL inherently harmful. It does mean those instalments should be managed with the same care as any other commitment that may be visible when you next apply for a credit card, car loan or mortgage.