Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net (Details 3) (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 total collections by collection channel
Collection of receivables	$ 245,977	$ 189,058	$ 717,565	$ 575,212
Legal collections [Member]
Summary of total collections by collection channel
Collection of receivables	111,334	94,932	335,782	281,504
Collection sites [Member]
Summary of total collections by collection channel
Collection of receivables	116,928	83,301	338,439	256,418
Collection agencies [Member]
Summary of total collections by collection channel
Collection of receivables	17,715	10,825	43,344	37,236
Other [Member]
Summary of total collections by collection channel
Collection of receivables				$ 54