Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Summary of Changes in Balance of Investment in Receivable Portfolios (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities Carrying Amount Net [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period				$ 873,119				$ 716,454	$ 873,119	$ 716,454	$ 644,753
Purchases of receivable portfolios									1,204,779	562,335	386,850
Transfer of portfolios
Gross collections	(351,278)	(379,670)	(278,388)	(270,170)	(230,490)	(245,977)	(240,560)	(231,028)	(1,279,506)	(948,006)	(761,011)
Put-backs and recalls									(2,629)	(3,076)	(2,852)
Foreign currency adjustments									49,634
Revenue recognized									732,659	541,191	459,537
Portfolio allowance reversals, net									12,193	4,221	(10,823)
Balance, end of period	1,590,249				873,119				1,590,249	873,119	716,454
Revenue as a percentage of collections									57.30%	57.10%	60.40%
Accrual Basis Portfolios [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities Carrying Amount Net [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period				873,119				716,454	873,119	716,454	644,753
Purchases of receivable portfolios									1,203,706	562,335	386,850
Transfer of portfolios									(6,649)
Gross collections									(1,249,625)	(921,730)	(740,402)
Put-backs and recalls									(2,331)	(3,076)	(2,843)
Foreign currency adjustments									49,634
Revenue recognized									715,458	518,617	443,367
Portfolio allowance reversals, net									2,275	519	(15,271)
Balance, end of period	1,585,587				873,119				1,585,587	873,119	716,454
Revenue as a percentage of collections									57.30%	56.30%	59.90%
Cost Recovery Portfolios [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities Carrying Amount Net [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period
Purchases of receivable portfolios									1,073
Transfer of portfolios									6,649
Gross collections									(2,764)
Put-backs and recalls									(296)
Foreign currency adjustments
Revenue recognized
Portfolio allowance reversals, net
Balance, end of period	4,662								4,662
Revenue as a percentage of collections									0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Zero Basis Portfolios [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities Carrying Amount Net [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period
Purchases of receivable portfolios
Transfer of portfolios
Gross collections									(27,117)	(26,276)	(20,609)
Put-backs and recalls									(2)		(9)
Foreign currency adjustments
Revenue recognized									17,201	22,574	16,170
Portfolio allowance reversals, net									9,918	3,702	4,448
Balance, end of period
Revenue as a percentage of collections									63.40%	85.90%	78.50%