Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Revenues
Revenue from receivable portfolios, net	$ 152,024	$ 138,731	$ 292,707	$ 265,136
Other revenue	380	183	681	188
Interest income - tax lien business	5,051	2,982	9,766	2,982
Interest expense - tax lien business	(1,334)	(650)	(2,447)	(650)
Net interest income - tax lien business	3,717	2,332	7,319	2,332
Total revenues	156,121	141,246	300,707	267,656
Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	32,969	25,190	61,801	47,494
Cost of legal collections	44,483	41,024	86,741	79,659
Other operating expenses	13,797	12,427	27,062	24,025
Collection agency commissions	5,230	4,166	8,559	8,125
General and administrative expenses	27,601	18,582	43,943	32,240
Depreciation and amortization	2,158	1,420	4,004	2,660
Total operating expenses	126,238	102,809	232,110	194,203
Income from operations	29,883	38,437	68,597	73,453
Other (expense) income
Interest expense	(7,482)	(6,497)	(14,336)	(12,012)
Other (expense) income	(4,122)	(106)	(3,963)	161
Total other expense	(11,604)	(6,603)	(18,299)	(11,851)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	18,279	31,834	50,298	61,602
Provision for income taxes	(7,267)	(12,846)	(19,838)	(24,506)
Income from continuing operations	11,012	18,988	30,460	37,096
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(2,392)		(9,094)
Net income	11,012	16,596	30,460	28,002
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	23,966	24,919	23,707	24,850
Diluted	24,855	25,825	24,652	25,822
Basic earnings (loss) per share from:
Continuing operations	$ 0.46	$ 0.76	$ 1.28	$ 1.49
Discontinued operations		$ (0.09)		$ (0.36)
Net basic earnings per share	$ 0.46	$ 0.67	$ 1.28	$ 1.13
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from:
Continuing operations	$ 0.44	$ 0.74	$ 1.24	$ 1.44
Discontinued operations		$ (0.10)		$ (0.36)
Net diluted earnings per share	$ 0.44	$ 0.64	$ 1.24	$ 1.08
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of tax	(1,574)	(1,790)	(954)	(1,108)
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation, net of tax	(583)		(697)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(2,157)	(1,790)	(1,651)	(1,108)
Comprehensive income	$ 8,855	$ 14,806	$ 28,809	$ 26,894