What form of payment is NOT accepted for a money order?

Money orders are a secure method of payment that can be purchased from the USPS and other financial institutions. The correct answer indicates that a bank transfer is not an acceptable form of payment for acquiring a money order. This is primarily because money orders are intended to be prepaid instruments. Unlike bank transfers, which involve transferring funds from one bank account to another, money orders require a payment made at the time of purchase, using funds that are readily available.

Acceptable forms of payment typically include cash and debit cards, as these allow the purchaser to immediately settle the payment in person. On the other hand, travelers checks, while not common, can sometimes also be used depending on the institution's policy. However, since a bank transfer does not provide instant funds at the point of sale like cash or a debit card, it cannot be used to purchase a money order.