Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Summary of changes in the balance of the investment in receivable portfolios
Balance, beginning of period	$ 869,859	$ 657,783	$ 716,454	$ 644,753
Purchases of receivable portfolios	47,311	65,731	408,757	250,107
Gross collections	(245,965)	(189,030)	(717,517)	(575,097)
Put-backs and recalls	(267)	(645)	(1,892)	(2,343)
Revenue recognized	139,965	117,448	404,312	340,371
(Portfolio allowances) portfolio allowance reversals, net	717	(1,605)	1,506	(8,109)
Balance, end of period	811,620	649,682	811,620	649,682
Revenue as a percentage of collections	56.90%	62.10%	56.30%	59.20%
Accrual Basis Portfolios [Member]
Summary of changes in the balance of the investment in receivable portfolios
Balance, beginning of period	869,859	657,783	716,454	644,753
Purchases of receivable portfolios	47,311	65,731	408,757	250,107
Gross collections	(239,577)	(183,406)	(696,957)	(561,724)
Put-backs and recalls	(267)	(641)	(1,892)	(2,339)
Revenue recognized	134,496	113,275	386,685	330,264
(Portfolio allowances) portfolio allowance reversals, net	(202)	(3,060)	(1,427)	(11,379)
Balance, end of period	811,620	649,682	811,620	649,682
Revenue as a percentage of collections	56.10%	61.80%	55.50%	58.80%
Zero Basis Portfolios [Member]
Summary of changes in the balance of the investment in receivable portfolios
Balance, beginning of period
Purchases of receivable portfolios
Gross collections	(6,388)	(5,624)	(20,560)	(13,373)
Put-backs and recalls		(4)		(4)
Revenue recognized	5,469	4,173	17,627	10,107
(Portfolio allowances) portfolio allowance reversals, net	919	1,455	2,933	3,270
Balance, end of period
Revenue as a percentage of collections	85.60%	74.20%	85.70%	75.60%