Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 10,521,000	$ 3,129,000	$ (90,725,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	262,000	1,291,000	1,664,000
Deferred income taxes	4,611,000	5,310,000	(8,505,000)
Impairments of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation	721,000	13,029,000	183,500,000
Stock based compensation	2,055,000	1,189,000	984,000
Changes in:
Income taxes payable and receivable	(3,142,000)	47,531,000	(54,042,000)
Due from third party collection agencies and attorneys	1,444,000	(955,000)	2,497,000
Other assets	(771,000)	(1,683,000)	(268,000)
Other liabilities	1,041,000	(98,000)	(2,109,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	16,742,000	68,743,000	32,996,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation	(7,435,000)	(7,989,000)	(19,552,000)
Principal payments received from collection of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation	38,360,000	54,211,000	71,936,000
Principal payments received from collections represented by sales of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation	235,000	2,076,000	5,317,000
Effect of foreign exchange on consumer receivables acquired for liquidation	(45,000)	(97,000)	(450,000)
Purchase of available-for-sale investments	(14,000,000)
Net purchases of other investments	(126,000)	(8,934,000)
Purchase of treasury stock	(70,000)
Capital expenditures	(475,000)	(108,000)	(187,000)
Net cash provided by investing activities	16,444,000	39,159,000	57,064,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	21,000	870,000	1,000
Tax benefit arising from exercise of non-qualified stock options		472,000	74,000
Change in restricted cash	273,000	826,000	917,000
Dividends paid	(1,169,000)	(1,155,000)	(1,427,000)
Repayments of debt, net	(18,879,000)	(32,139,000)	(90,863,000)
(Repayments) advance under subordinated debt - related party	(4,386,000)	(3,860,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(24,140,000)	(34,986,000)	(91,298,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	9,046,000	72,916,000	(1,238,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	75,301,000	2,385,000	3,623,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	84,347,000	75,301,000	2,385,000
Cash paid for:
Interest (Related Party: 2011 - $122,000; 2010 - $568,000; 2009 - $472,000)	3,114,000	4,542,000	9,082,000
Income taxes	$ 5,647,000	$ 2,052,000	$ 5,887,000