i am being barraged by phone calls saying my icloud account is being hacked. Is this real or a phishing scam?

Definitely a scam attempt.

Apple does not make such calls.

All such calls are scams from criminals attempting to steal your personal and financial information. The callers will often use number spoofing to pretend they are calling from a legitimate business. The correct course of action is to ignore the calls or hang up on them, repeatedly if needed. 

Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

There is. The Do Not Call registry. But criminals don't care in the least about such laws.

You are welcome.

This reply answered my question about the calls about my Icloud account being breached. I thought so, but this is good to keep in mind.