XML 101 R92.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Segment Information - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Segment
Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]    
Number of reportable segments 2us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments  
Assets $ 3,750,135us-gaap_Assets $ 2,685,274us-gaap_Assets
Portfolio Purchasing and Recovery [Member]    
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]    
Assets 3,400,000us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecpg_PortfolioPurchasingAndRecoveryMember
 
Tax Lien Transfer [Member]    
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]    
Assets $ 369,200us-gaap_Assets
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecpg_TaxLienBusinessMember