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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-07-077331.txt : 20071221
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-07-077331.hdr.sgml : 20071221
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20071221173954
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-07-077331
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20071221
FILED AS OF DATE:		20071221
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20071221

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001084961
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6153]
		IRS NUMBER:				481090909
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8875 AERO DRIVE, SUITE 200
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92123
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8007590327

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8875 AERO DRIVE, SUITE 200
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92123

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MCM CAPITAL GROUP INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990430

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MIDLAND CORP OF KANSAS
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990423

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Grinberg Paul
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001303829

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26489
		FILM NUMBER:		071324332

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8583096964

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC
		STREET 2:		8875 AERO DRIVE, SUITE 200
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92123
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd183870.xml
<DESCRIPTION>GRINBERG 122107 FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-12-21</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001084961</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ECPG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001303829</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Grinberg Paul</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8875 AERO DRIVE, SUITE 200</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN DIEGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92123</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive VP, CFO &amp; Treasurer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-12-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>133500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant to the reporting person on December 21, 2007 of deferred issuance restricted stock units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) under the Encore Capital Group, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;). Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Encore's common stock. The RSUs are subject to vesting.  50% of the shares will vest on 12/21/2010, 25% will vest on 12/21/2011 and 25% will vest on 12/21/2012; provided that if the reporting person's employment is terminated without cause prior to vesting, 10% will vest if such termination occurs prior to 12/21/2008, 20% will vest if such termination occurs on or after 12/21/2008 but prior to 12/21/2009, and 30% will vest if such termination occurs on or after 12/21/2009 but prior to 12/21/2010.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robin R. Pruitt, Attorney-in-Fact for Paul Grinberg</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-12-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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