Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Summary of Accretable Yield and an Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 3,177,980	$ 3,270,671	$ 3,041,631	$ 3,059,713	$ 3,270,671	$ 3,059,713
Revenue recognized, net	(267,452)	(270,094)	(270,301)	(264,110)	(537,546)	(534,411)
Net additions on existing portfolios	154,594	47,609	34,250	268,221
Additions for current purchases, net	183,217	193,654	395,009	85,907
Effect of foreign currency translation	(180,978)	(63,860)	131,653	(108,100)
Balance at end of period	3,067,361	3,177,980	3,332,242	3,041,631	3,067,361	3,332,242
Accretable Yield [Member]
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	2,977,955	3,047,640	2,951,203	2,993,321	3,047,640	2,993,321
Revenue recognized, net	(233,714)	(238,547)	(243,425)	(248,539)
Net additions on existing portfolios	59,459	39,538	(40,337)	228,560
Additions for current purchases, net	183,217	193,654	395,009	85,907
Effect of foreign currency translation	(181,223)	(64,330)	131,654	(108,046)
Balance at end of period	2,805,694	2,977,955	3,194,104	2,951,203	2,805,694	3,194,104
Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows [Member]
Investment in Receivables Portfolio [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	200,025	223,031	90,428	66,392	223,031	66,392
Revenue recognized, net	(33,738)	(31,547)	(26,876)	(15,571)	(65,300)	(42,400)
Net additions on existing portfolios	95,135	8,071	74,587	39,661
Additions for current purchases, net	0	0	0	0
Effect of foreign currency translation	245	470	(1)	(54)
Balance at end of period	$ 261,667	$ 200,025	$ 138,138	$ 90,428	$ 261,667	$ 138,138