Cleaning up my credit score.

[Corey Threet]

Hey! So I'm 21 from Buffalo, NY and awhile back I wanted to establish credit so I put a Verizon bill in my name. Without goin into too much detail, I owe them (through no fault of my own) $232. I spoke with a representative and they offered to settle it at $179. Is this reliable and if so how can I get rid of the strike on my credit score. Right now it's 499. What do you think is the best way to fix my credit score? I need to know asap before I call them tomorrow and pay it.