Have you ever hired a freelancer who looked great but couldn't deliver?

I've heard this story multiple times recently.

Strong profile.

Great portfolio.

Excellent sales call.

Then the project starts.

A few weeks later:

deadlines slip
quality drops
expectations don't match reality

The frustrating part?

Nothing seemed wrong during the hiring process.

For founders and business owners:

What's your process for reducing risk before hiring a freelancer or agency?