Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 94,765	$ (10,579)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	11,512	10,285
Other non-cash interest expense, net	4,749	5,909
Stock-based compensation expense	3,405	4,527
Deferred income taxes	(3,302)	(12,030)
Changes in expected current and future recoveries	(44,537)	98,661
Other, net	4,931	2,161
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Other assets	(3,816)	3,377
Prepaid income tax and income taxes payable	28,627	14,970
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities	(27,215)	(46,476)
Net cash provided by operating activities	69,119	70,805
Investing activities:
Purchases of receivable portfolios, net of put-backs	(167,025)	(209,045)
Collections applied to investment in receivable portfolios, net	268,443	169,914
Other, net	(6,151)	(4,124)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	95,267	(43,255)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from credit facilities	273,293	171,880
Repayment of credit facilities	(235,399)	(167,221)
Repayment of senior secured notes	(9,770)	(16,250)
Repayment of convertible senior notes	(161,000)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(20,390)	0
Other, net	(6,844)	(10,171)
Net cash used in financing activities	(160,110)	(21,762)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	4,276	5,788
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(8,862)	(9,924)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	189,184	192,335
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	184,598	188,199
Supplemental disclosure of cash information:
Cash paid for interest	37,258	60,495
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds	$ 813	$ 766