Performant Recovery Stole tax refund unannounced and without notification livermore California

While faithfully completing the 9 month loan rehabilitaion program (11/2013 - 8/2014) I filed for my tax refund on 2/12/2014. then after many harrassing phone calls (2/14/2014 - 3/6/2014) and requests for more signed forms "In order to continue completing the program" (their reason), i too was swendled and rendered personal info to them on 3/6/2014. Then found my tax refund, due on 2/28/2014, stolen without being made aware by Performant.  I was made aware after several inquiries to IRS on 3/13/2014 about the whereabouts of the refund. Then upon calling Performant Recovery, I discovered their dishonesty and that they felt they owed me no notification of their actions. Performant representative, Ricardo only promised that stealing it would help reduce the amount of the loan but denied me a receipt or statement of the theft.  Under what Act were Performant's actions legal?