Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Summary of Accretable Yield and an Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield and Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows Movement Schedule [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 3,270,671	$ 3,059,713
Revenue recognized, net	(946,615)	(1,072,436)	$ (992,832)
Net additions on existing portfolios	728,748	529,965
Additions for current purchases, net	861,698	846,632
Effect of foreign currency translation	(456,994)	(93,203)
Ending balance	3,457,508	3,270,671	3,059,713
Accretable Yield [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield and Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows Movement Schedule [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3,047,640	2,993,321
Revenue recognized, net	(801,736)	(964,225)
Net additions on existing portfolios	441,632	263,713
Additions for current purchases, net	861,698	846,632
Effect of foreign currency translation	(457,230)	(91,801)
Ending balance	3,092,004	3,047,640	2,993,321
Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Accretable Yield and Estimate of Zero Basis Future Cash Flows Movement Schedule [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	223,031	66,392
Revenue recognized, net	(144,879)	(108,211)
Net additions on existing portfolios	287,116	266,252
Additions for current purchases, net	0	0
Effect of foreign currency translation	236	(1,402)
Ending balance	$ 365,504	$ 223,031	$ 66,392