Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 115,440	$ 126,213
Investment in receivable portfolios, net	2,073,232	1,590,249
Deferred court costs, net	53,130	41,219
Receivables secured by property tax liens, net	276,081	212,814
Property and equipment, net	64,565	55,783
Other assets	218,119	154,783
Goodwill	921,519	504,213
Total assets	3,722,086	2,685,274
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	192,309	137,272
Debt	2,790,746	1,850,431
Other liabilities	98,864	95,100
Total liabilities	3,081,919	2,082,803
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	30,280	26,564
Redeemable equity component of convertible senior notes	9,787	0
Equity:
Convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 25,720 shares and 25,457 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	257	255
Additional paid-in capital	121,491	171,819
Accumulated earnings	471,704	394,628
Accumulated other comprehensive gain	3,274	5,195
Total Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity	596,726	571,897
Noncontrolling interest	3,374	4,010
Total equity	600,100	575,907
Total liabilities, redeemable equity and equity	3,722,086	2,685,274
Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	34,261	62,403
Investment in receivable portfolios, net	1,008,885	620,312
Deferred court costs, net	9,407	0
Receivables secured by property tax liens, net	116,980	0
Property and equipment, net	13,491	13,755
Other assets	89,911	33,772
Goodwill	695,825	376,296
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	104,200	47,219
Debt	1,622,302	846,676
Other liabilities	$ 6,885	$ 1,897