Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]
Initial collection forecast				120 months
Extended collection forecast				180 months
Provision for portfolio allowances	$ 10,181			$ 94,011			$ 10,863	$ 94,011
Reduction in allowance charges	29,745			2,564			41,388	7,234
Face value of receivable portfolios	3,000,000			1,500,000			7,100,000	7,900,000
Purchase price of receivable portfolios	$ 292,332			$ 206,359			$ 757,474	$ 696,228
Purchase cost as a percentage of face value	9.68605%			14.00%			10.60%	8.90%
Estimated future collections at acquisition for receivable portfolios	$ 630,600			$ 386,500			$ 1,555,000	$ 1,262,000
Revenue recognized, net	283,588	$ 272,236	$ 251,970	159,534	$ 267,452	$ 270,094	807,794	697,080
Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]
Revenue recognized, net	35,368	$ 40,805	$ 40,252	39,991	$ 33,738	$ 31,547	116,400	$ 105,300
Investment in Receivable Portfolios
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]
Increase in total estimated remaining collections for receivable portfolios				296,500
Europe | Investment in Receivable Portfolios
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]
Provision for portfolio allowances				$ 94,000
Reduction in allowance charges	28,000						$ 35,800
Puerto Rico | Investment in Receivable Portfolios
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]
Provision for portfolio allowances	$ 10,200