Actually, I have heard that most the the scammers or criminal types have obtained the DNC list! Just google "do not call" or DNC if you'd like to join. I think cell phones can be put on the list, but nothing is ever enforced; I believe there are State level DNC lists as well as federal system.
You've heard wrong. Only registered telemarketers can get the list and they have to pay over 15 grand for it. Scammers just buy private lists from criminal web sites or use auto dialers that go through every number in a certain range. Ever had a caller that hangs up as soon as you pick up? Or a one-ring call? Those are from scammers verifying working phone numbers (instead or buying a list). Costs them next to nothing.
You can put a cell phone on the federal do not call list. Same as a land line. Of course, it will only stop legitimate, legal telemarketers because the scammers don't obey the law. The list IS enforced – the FTC sues a dozen or so scumbags every year, but the staff of the FTC are simply outnumbered by the scammers by a thousand to one.
This is the 4th strange number I've gotten this month on my cell phone. I always Google the number and it always turns out being a scammer. I do not answer the calls, but immediately block the numbers through Verizon. Does the FTC have a website that we could report these numbers to? Maybe if they got enough complaints about each number, they could somehow eradicate these phone numbers.