Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 136,209	$ 124,163
Investment in receivable portfolios, net	2,038,407	2,143,560
Receivables secured by property tax liens, net	264,691	259,432
Property and equipment, net	64,601	66,969
Deferred court costs, net	64,475	60,412
Other assets	214,103	197,666
Goodwill	865,701	897,933
Total assets	3,648,187	3,750,135
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	195,887	231,967
Debt	2,690,882	2,773,554
Other liabilities	87,458	79,675
Total liabilities	2,974,227	3,085,196
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	28,435	28,885
Redeemable equity component of convertible senior notes	8,355	9,073
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, 26,012 shares and 25,794 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	260	258
Additional paid-in capital	128,135	125,310
Accumulated earnings	527,779	498,354
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(23,058)	(922)
Total Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity	633,116	623,000
Noncontrolling interest	4,054	3,981
Total equity	637,170	626,981
Total liabilities, redeemable equity and equity	3,648,187	3,750,135
Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	63,171	44,996
Investment in receivable portfolios, net	935,063	993,462
Receivables secured by property tax liens, net	102,042	108,535
Property and equipment, net	15,366	15,957
Deferred court costs, net	21,359	17,317
Other assets	79,797	80,264
Goodwill	638,697	671,434
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	103,855	137,201
Debt	1,492,689	1,556,956
Other liabilities	$ 21,465	$ 8,724